How a G10 student helped install bike lanes & shared ride services in his community.

Meet Smyan - a high school junior passionate about business & sustainability.

His journey began when he accidentally walked into a Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) meeting at his school. Smyan started as a member but quickly rose the ranks.

As the Community Service Project Chair, Smyan launched Project Propel - an initiative aiming to transform more sustainable transportation in Santa Clara County. Leading 76 students and partnering with the Silicon Valley Bike Coalition, Smyan secured full-time bike lanes for students and expanded an on-demand ride service to his community.

Project Propel has been recognized from Congressman Ro Khanna, Sunnyvale Mayor Larry Klein, Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee and other prominent leaders.

This is Smyan’s story.

Meet Smyan

• #1: Tell us about Project Propel.

  • #2: What motivates and inspires you?

  • #3: What made you join FBLA?

  • #4: If you were to do it all over again, what’s th …

• Stay Connected

  • Student Resources

#1: Tell us about Project Propel.

Smyan:

Every year, my school team tackles sustainability projects. While last year focused on waste reduction, I took a different approach: improving sustainable transportation in our county.

Project Propel came from hearing about my peers’ struggles. Many relied on bikes to commute, but part-time bike lanes made it dangerous. In the mornings, they could bike safely, but after school, those lanes reverted to cars, putting students at risk.

My team and I developed a bold proposal and outreach plan.

We took it one step further to adapt the Hopper to transport bikes and better serve students.

We partnered with the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition to amplify bike ridership and presented our vision at local government meetings. Our work paid off: we secured a $2.2 million grant to implement the Hopper program locally and expand safe biking infrastructure.

We were recognized by several leaders in my community. It felt amazing to have built such an impact. It also proved to me that student advocacy can go so far.

#2: What motivates and inspires you?

Smyan:

I’m driven by a passion for business and a love for blending creativity with rational decision-making. For me, it’s exciting to take big ideas and turn them into practical solutions that truly make an impact.

I’ve also developed a passion for public speaking and presenting. It’s inspiring to meet people I look up to, learn how they’ve grown, and follow in their footsteps. Seeing their journeys motivates me to keep improving and discovering my own strengths.

What fuels me is a mix of curiosity and the desire to be in dynamic, decision-making environments where creativity and practicality intersect. I’d love to keep learning, creating, and building projects that matter.

#3: What made you join FBLA?

Smyan:

In middle school, I was a quiet, introverted kid with little motivation, especially during COVID. That all changed when a friend randomly invited me to an FBLA meeting. I gave it a try—and it completely transformed me.

That one meeting taught me more than all my classes combined. It sparked a passion for discovering my strengths and pushing myself to improve. Through FBLA, I built skills in public speaking, creating presentations, and networking, growing from a shy kid to someone who could confidently present to hundreds at conferences.

The biggest change? At family gatherings, I went from staying in the background to introducing myself and starting conversations.

#4: If you were to do it all over again, what’s the first step you’d take to start your own project?

Smyan:

Here’s what worked for me.

First, set aside one hour and write down all your ideas in a Google Doc. Don’t worry about being perfect or whether the ideas make total sense—just get them out of your head and onto paper. This step is all about creating clarity and building momentum.

Next, find a partner to work with. Two people are always better than one. Sharing your ideas with someone else not only brings new perspectives but also keeps you accountable.

Finally, commit to revisiting your document every week. Spend just one hour developing your ideas further. Trust me, those hours will add up fast, and before you know it, your rough concept will start to turn into something real.

The key is to keep moving forward, no matter how small the steps feel. If you stay consistent and collaborate, you’ll be surprised at how quickly your project comes to life.

Stay Connected

Project Propel in the news: Article

Student Resources

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