MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — A local sixth grader is being recognized nationally for her commitment to heart health. Harper Mullicane, a student at Siegel Middle School, has been named an American Heart Association Youth Heart Ambassador for the 2025-2026 school year.
Harper will represent the American Heart Association (AHA) by encouraging her classmates and community to adopt heart-healthy lifestyles. The Youth Heart Ambassador program selects young leaders across the country to raise awareness about cardiovascular health, inspire others through personal stories, and serve as advocates for healthier living.
Harper’s passion for healthcare stems from her family’s personal experience. In 2018, her father was diagnosed with acute heart failure and later suffered from acute pancreatitis, which required surgery and a two-week medically induced coma. Against the odds, he recovered and today his heart is functioning at full capacity.
Witnessing her father’s journey inspired Harper to take an active role in spreading awareness about heart health. Now, as a Youth Heart Ambassador, she is dedicating her efforts to educating peers and the broader community on ways to prevent heart disease through healthy habits, nutrition, and physical activity.
Her teachers, family, and classmates are proud of her recognition, which not only shines a light on Harper’s leadership but also puts Murfreesboro on the map for youth health advocacy.
FULL ARTICLE: The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, has selected a sixth grader at Siegel Middle School to serve as a volunteer local Youth Heart Ambassador for the 2025-2026 school year.
Twelve year-old Harper Mullicane of Murfreesboro, Tennessee will work closely with the American Heart Association’s in-school programs, Kids Heart Challenge™ and American Heart Challenge™ to passionately inspire peers to adopt healthier habits for improved mental and physical well-being.
The American Heart Association accepted nominations nationwide from young people who have been affected by heart disease or stroke. Youth with a personal diagnosis, a family history of cardiovascular disease or a passion for leading a heart-healthy life were encouraged to apply for the Youth Heart Ambassador role.
In 2018, Harper’s father was diagnosed with acute heart failure and, within the year, was hospitalized with acute pancreatitis that required surgery and a two-week medically induced coma. Today, his heart is functioning at full capacity. Inspired by her father’s journey, Harper discovered a passion for healthcare and is dedicated to educating her community on how to lead heart-healthy lives.
“Heart problems don’t just affect my dad—they run in our family,” said Harper. “Being a Youth Heart Ambassador makes me feel like I can take something that is hard for us and turn it into something good. I can share my dad’s story and let other kids know they aren’t alone if their family goes through something similar.”
The Youth Heart Ambassadors serve a one-year commitment as a volunteer of the American Heart Association assisting the organization to be a relentless force for healthier lives for all. The position gives youth a voice to encourage, advocate and emphasize the need to raise critical funding in their local community as they share the impact cardiovascular disease has had on their life.
“It’s inspiring to see a student from our community step up as a leader for youth health,” said Tara Myers, principal architect at Earl Swensson Associates and American Heart Association board member. “Harper brings an important voice to our mission, and we’re excited to see the difference she’ll make in our Middle Tennessee community.”
The Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge are dynamic service-learning fundraising programs that teach students how to improve their overall health while making a positive impact on others. Through engaging curriculums and interactive challenges, students get active, have fun and raise essential funds for congenital heart defects, nutrition security, CPR training, mental well-being and more. These efforts support the American Heart Association’s mission to create a world of longer, healthier lives.
Schools can register now to take part in the Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge programs for the 2025-26 school year. More information about the Youth Heart Ambassadors can be found at heart.org/youthambassadors.
