Empowering the world around her

Angelique Flores

A Huntington Beach teen’s environmental efforts are sending her all

the way to Geneva.

Jengyee Liang, 18, was selected to attend the Youth Empowerment Summit

in Switzerland over the summer. She will be one of about 30 students

nationwide who will represent youth at United Nations round-table

discussions. The youth will study at the Youth Empowerment Academy at

UCLA in June to learn the United Nations protocol and draft resolutions

on human rights.

After the conference, Liang will stay in Geneva to intern for Wilda

Spaulding, founder of the World Wins Corp., the organization behind the

event.

“It’s motivating because I get to interact with other people who are

passionate about what I’m passionate about,” Liang said.

The Marina High School senior volunteers at Earth Resource Foundation,

a Costa Mesa-based nonprofit environmental organization. With enthusiasm

and passion, she does everything from coastal cleanups, research, working

on the foundation’s Web site, newsletters, volunteer projects and

recruiting and fund-raising.

“She has the most initiative I’ve ever seen in a young person,” said

Stephanie Barger, executive director of the Earth Resource Foundation.

“She’s very instrumental. She’s gone out and really helped us with our

cause and helped network with other organizations.”

Because youths make up a large part of the world’s population, Liang

believes they deserve a voice at the United Nations. She would like to

help provide a permanent and positive force in international relations.

At the summit in Geneva, Liang hopes to catch a firsthand glimpse of

international work on civil rights so she could eventually apply her

knowledge to her efforts in environmental activism.

“I’m concerned about global issues that people around the world are

faced with,” Liang said.

Barger has noticed Liang’s hard work and persistence in setting goals

and seeing them through.

“With nonprofits, you have to do it from the heart, you have to have

Jengyee’s enthusiasm,” Barger said.

Liang is considering a career in international business. She

participated in the Amnesty International seminar in Washington, D.C., in

January. Besides her environmental efforts, Liang enjoys sports. She has

been participated on the high school water polo, swim, running and surf

teams.

Liang is seeking sponsorships to raise $5,000 for her training and

trip.

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Those interested in donating can e-mail Jengyee Liang at o7

[email protected]