Despite limited opportunities to learn about Southeast Asia at the high school level, the majority of discourse about the region is disproportionately pitched at the tertiary level.The Southeast Asia Exchange (SEAx) bridges this gap, offering high school students from across SEA the chance to deepen and broaden their knowledge through peer-to-peer interaction, mentorship, and expert insights. High school is a pivotal time when we often find ourselves thinking about our identities—who we are, and who we want to become—which naturally includes reflecting on how our identities are shaped by the places we call home. As a Knowledge Team member, I have the responsibility to:- Design the cycle theme that will run across all panels - Brainstorm and conduct research into Southeast Asian issues to identify topics that are contemporary, relevant, and engaging to Southeast Asian youths.- Consolidate research which involves generating ideas for academic research, distilling key insights from scholarly journal articles, and identifying key points of information to compare and contrast during invigorating discussions.- Create a background primer and generate list(s) of questions to direct and moderate assigned speaker panel(s).

Category: Community Service and ActivismContribution to Case Competition CommunityImpact:Leveraging my case competition experience, I mentored 5 teams, leading 2 to the finals. I contributed to their success by solving 5+ sample case studies, 10+ holding in-depth meetings, and dedicating 8 hours per week during competition periods. Additionally, my team, LyVanique, organized a workshop on the Vietnam National Economics Olympiad, attracting 18 registrations within 24 hours. We provided valuable insights and equipped students with foundational micro and macroeconomics principles.My Experience and Why I'm proud of it:Mentoring enriched my learning experience by allowing me to revisit case studies from a different perspective. Through this process, I reaffirmed the significance of a well-rounded team: individuals with deep empathy, strong leadership, and a commitment to continuous learning and participation. In a landscape where participation opportunities for high schoolers have expanded, there remains a gap in self-learning resources which is filled by my mentorship and the culture I am bringing.

Category: Personal Growth or LearningLaunched my first independent initiative to "pay it forward": Helping a friend overcome a financial crisis.Impact:Launched a fundraising campaign "Học Có Lợi" to support my friend Loi's education. Through book sales, the campaign garnered 35+ million VND (exceeding the 17+ million VND goal within 16 hours), 1400+ reactions, and 115+ shares. Fueling a belief in community support, the campaign earned Loi media coverage in 2 magazines and bulletins. The remaining were donated to charity. I'm trying to benefit him more diversely by supporting him with scholarship applications, free tutoring sponsorships, etc.My Experience and Why I'm proud of it:When financial hardship nearly forced my friend Loi out of school. I spearheaded the creation of a "Học Có Lợi" outlining its core values and vision, motivating Loi to continue his education. Inspired by my experience with underprivileged youth and my own journey from poverty to top-tier education, I believe in education's transformative power. Helping Loi wasn't just about him; it was my first step in paying forward the support I received.

Category: Organization and LeadershipSUGAR Camp at SUGAR VietnamCo-led SUGAR Vietnam's annual leadership development program and marked the project's largest scale in history.Impact:Secured 18 hosts to recruit, train, supervise, and choose 26 aspiring youngsters from 65 campers in 8 months, ensuring the long-term sustainability of SUGAR Vietnam. During the probation, we organized 12 service trips and interactive workshops for over 700 children across 7 shelters in 2 provinces, offering them opportunities to learn through positive social interaction. We also donated 331.000.000 VND through 2 fundraising campaigns and a self-run concert attracting 1000+ attendees.My Experience and Why I'm proud of it:As a Co-Leader, I improved the recruitment outcome by increasing the number of applicants from 66 (previous year) to 144 this year through a 2-day online info session attracting 104+ registrations and enhancing the evaluation process through the addition of group activities. Under my management, the hosting team provided 2 seminars and 11 department-specific workshops. This year's scale is the largest in terms of personnel (applicants, campers, and hosts), training, challenges, events, etc.

Catergory: Community Service and ActivismThe Route to Knowledge at SUGAR VietnamLong-lasting impact as part of the Advisory Committee of the Largest Educational Volunteer Project in Southern Vietnam.Impact:This project helped 70+ underprivileged children from 4 shelters by providing daily classes teaching school subjects and weekly extracurricular classes to raise social and environmental awareness in 6 months, organizing 8 events and many sports competitions. I focused on one organizing team's shelter which eventually encouraged 95% of the kids to continue to study and helped 90% of them get promoted to the next grade.My Experience and Why I'm proud of it:As an adviser, I trained and supervised nearly 50 youngsters in project management, planning, budget assessments, teaching, etc. This role also required me to be available to advise any of the 200+ members from other shelters. Discovering the need for long-term, mother/father-like relationships with orphans, I focused on retaining volunteers by sharing my vision and preparing them for their roles. 90% of my organizing members committed to a long-term tutorship with the kids (highest in history).

Category: Organized Academics and ResearchMentee and Manager: Learned and Guided 20 students in College ApplicationsImpact:A consulting project guided 20 mentees from my school through college applications. This project provided mentorship, standardized test prep materials, and weekly lectures on application skills (essay writing, activities describing, etc). Secured 12 mentors in 5 most desired majors in the cohort, 3 specialists for finance and visa, and 3 guests to share about lives abroad and after graduating. Successfully helped 13 out of 20 mentees to pursue their education abroad in 4 different countries.My Experience and Why I'm proud of it:Starting as a Mentee, the Founder recognized my potential and appointed me as Operation Manager. Serving as both a Mentee and an Operation Manager demanded intensive learning. I not only absorbed knowledge from lectures but also unlearned and relearned perspectives while reviewing others' applications. Beyond academic sessions, I discovered opportunities to offer multifaceted support. Now, equipped with these experiences, I'm guiding underclassmen through this year's application process.

Category: CompetitionsTop Performer in Business-related CompetitionsImpact:In high school, I participated in numerous national-level case competitions in business, marketing, business analysis, and communication which allowed high schoolers to resign under the name of team LyVanique and individually (1 time when I secured an exception to compete in a university-level competition). Competed against 1700+ students from prestigious high schools and universities across Vietnam accumulating an impressive track record: 1 first prize and 4 finalist placements.My Experience and Why I'm proud of it:Despite limited resources and a competitive landscape – with few case competition opportunities available to high schoolers then – I persevered. Beginning as a creative force, crafting an IMC plan for our team's product, I soon discovered a hidden talent for data mining and market research, previously considered a weakness. While enrolled in a demanding gifted program, I spent 28 hours per week during competitions. My achievements secured me an exception to compete in a university competition.