Advocate Spotlight: Jessica Bowser

In 2025, Jessica Bowser, a middle school student from Northwest Arkansas, proved that powerful advocacy can begin at any age.

Jessica served as a youth advocate in support of Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) for public schools across Arkansas, helping amplify student voices and elevate the importance of cardiac emergency preparedness on school campuses. As part of her advocacy, Jessica created social media videos to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest, educated others on the importance of access to life-saving AEDs, and supported policies that prioritize the safety of students, staff, and visitors.

“I am honored to serve Arkansas in this way,” Jessica shared. “This is important to me as a student. We all can save a life.”

Through collaboration with educators, community leaders, and policymakers, Jessica helped demonstrate how having a plan, proper training, and equipment in place can make a life-saving difference during an emergency. These efforts contributed to meaningful progress when CERPs legislation was officially signed into law by Governor Sarah Sanders on April 23, 2025. Jessica attended the bill signing alongside fellow American Heart Association advocates. This was an unforgettable moment for her and showed how youth leadership and civic engagement can create lifesaving change.

Most recently, Jessica shared her advocacy journey with participants in the American Heart Association Sweetheart program in Northwest Arkansas, inspiring even more young people to get involved.

Beyond her work on CERPs, Jessica volunteers throughout her community supporting efforts to fight food insecurity and lending her time at American Heart Association events including Heart Ball and Heart Walk.

“I love serving and helping others,” Jessica said. “Whether big or small, it brings me joy to help make my state healthy and safe.”

Jessica’s story is a powerful reminder: advocacy has no age limit and every voice can help save a life.

🎥 Watch Jessica’s video and see how she educated and inspired others to take action on CERPs: