Sustainable C.H.A.N.G.E.S. Youth Summit
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.
Join the Youth Summit
We are looking for high school students, ages 14 to 18, who are interested in sustainability and taking action in their communities. From addressing eco-anxiety to advocating for their community, students will engage with experts to craft an impact project and can apply for support funding of up to $500.
Join your peers at a free summit at The Huntington on Nov. 16 at 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
In this free, all-day summit on Nov. 16, participants will …
- Participate in engaging talks and hands-on activities
- Explore art exhibitions, discuss climate change, meditate and journal, and learn about food sustainability
- Collaborate to create an impact project that benefits local communities
- Network with peers and professionals
Why Attend?
- Financial Support: Students can apply for up to $500 for project supplies or organizational needs. (Some schools/organizations have students creating gardens, while others are looking to establish paid internship opportunities.)
- Hands-On Learning: Beyond the impact project, youth will learn techniques to address eco-anxiety and reconnect with the environment through creative projects, such as nature journaling, food sustainability, or art as activism.
- College or Job Applications: Participation in this program will enhance resumes and job applications, showcasing students’ commitment to sustainability and community engagement.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with local environmental organizations for future internships and job prospects.
Additional Info
- After the summit, participants will have the chance to join four engaging virtual discussions that will help them with their impact projects, covering various topics, including art as storytelling, activism, and using tools to combat burnout.
- Finally, participants will return to The Huntington on March 16, 2025, to present their impact projects to their peers.
First come, first served. Space is limited; early registration is encouraged.
Register Today
Meet the Youth Summit Advisory Council
Eliana Andrea
My name is Eliana Andrea, and I am currently a senior at Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena. I am passionate about scientific research, particularly in molecular biology, where my curiosity drives my interest in scientific discovery. In addition to my academic interests, I am committed to understanding public health and the disparities that affect different populations. I believe that addressing these inequities is crucial to shaping a society that prioritizes and supports its most vulnerable members. In my personal time, I am an avid adventurer and love to spend time with family and friends.
Mason Asakura
Mason Asakura (he/him) is a curious Japanese American teenager excited about exploring all that life has to offer, while trying to serve his community and promote change for the better. He is passionate about the AAPI community, specifically its mental health and well-being, and he tries to have open conversations about stigmas, typically through a cultural lens. Mason is also passionate about leading our planet toward a more sustainable future through creative activism, such as journalism, poetry, and storytelling. However, he also uses these mediums to express his cultural identity and advocate for AAPI youth. When he is not actively working in a social justice setting, you can find him gardening at The Huntington, marching for his school’s band, or obsessing over words in his notebook that may or may not get published. He loves inspiring others to create good for their communities and hopes to continue this as he weaves through the ups and downs of life.
Jocelyn Chen
Hi, I’m Jocelyn! I am Chinese Taiwanese and am currently a junior in high school. I’m someone who loves to write, read, travel, and go to the gym. Some fun facts about me are that I love the show Gilmore Girls, I love spicy Korean ramen, and I want to move to New York City when I’m older. Although I’m very academically oriented, I’m also a very social and outgoing person, and I love making new friends/connections everywhere I go. Something that I’m really interested in currently is modern social media culture and how it affects youth. I’m also super curious about journalism, social impact, art history, and any kind of media analysis. On a more personal level, I care a lot about mental health, preserving relationships with those around me, and hard work.
Chloe Chen
Hello! My name is Chloe Chen (she/her/hers). I’m deeply interested in learning and constantly looking to expand my knowledge about how I can create positive change for a healthier planet and society. Climate change and health care equality are topics that are particularly important to me. My passion for sustainable activism runs deep, as I enjoy seeking out moments that highlight the beauty in the environment and the importance of its preservation. During my spare time, I find great joy in immersing myself in photography, music, and films.
Chloe Choi
My name is Chloe Choi. I am in the 11th grade, and I have a great love for art and my community. I enjoy talking with others and leading peers toward the conservation of our environment. Not only that, but I also love to both paint and have conversations about art with others around me. It’s always interesting to talk to those both similar to and different from me. I love getting to talk to others, but I also enjoy being a listener. It’s always great to be with others!
Kate Chun
Kate Chun (she/her) is a senior at La Cañada High School. In school, her favorite subject is history, especially the World Wars, as the collision between different cultures and ideologies is interesting. Her love for history permeates into life outside of school: reading historical fiction, watching movies about historical events, and, most importantly, visiting museums where she can learn new facts while looking at artifacts and beautiful artwork. Kate has worked at several museums, including USC Pacific Asia Museum as a teen ambassador, Descanso Gardens as a gallery guide, the Holocaust Museum LA as an intern, and The Huntington as a Second Sunday volunteer. Aside from museums, music plays a crucial role in her life. She is part of her school choir, writes songs, and created an initiative to bring performers into senior homes this past year.
Sophia Engstrom
I am going into 10th grade, and I’m very excited. I am on my school’s competitive dance team. Last year we won the nationals. I also play the drums. I love shows such as Gilmore Girls, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Walking Dead, All of Us Are Dead, and Grey’s Anatomy. I am very into apocalypse, zombie, horror, and supernatural shows and movies. My family is very important to me.
Jayden Faustinos
Hi, everyone! My name is Jayden Faustinos, and I am a junior at Ramona Convent Secondary School. My journey at The Huntington started around two years ago when I became an art/garden cart volunteer. At the carts, I interact with Huntington guests by facilitating fun activities and answering any questions about the history of The Huntington. I have grown to love working with The Huntington’s staff and my fellow volunteers, so I recently also started the youth curator program with the American art gallery. One of the reasons why I chose to get involved with The Huntington is because I’m passionate about history, art, museums, and how those factors can be explored within different cultural perspectives. For that reason, I am very excited for the experience that I will gain working with the curators of the American art gallery. I am glad to be on the Youth Advisory Council because I believe that it is imperative to educate ourselves and others on how we can live more sustainable lives and address some of the key issues our community faces. I look forward to making impactful changes with the rest of the Sustainable C.H.A.N.G.E.S. cohort!
Sean Guo
Hello! I’m Sean Guo, an ordinary human created by two extraordinary people. In the current stage of my life, I’m on a journey to figure out exactly what type of human I am and also to to seek my purpose in the world. I have a passion for learning and consuming knowledge across various fields, though the route of traditional schooling isn’t what I’m fond of. What’s important to me is ensuring that everyone around me stays perfectly healthy and finds happiness in their everyday lives. I value curiosity and the pursuit of truth, because mastering those two traits would lead to a more meaningful life.
David Hadi
Hi! My name is David Hadi. I’m Chinese Indonesian American, and I love making a difference in my community, whether that be with my direct family and friends or the whole world. I’m an avid app developer, and I use my skills and knowledge to push forward ideas I’m passionate about. I always have a project in the works and several more planned for future endeavors. My goal is to become a technology entrepreneur who leaves a positive global impact through my work and philanthropic endeavors. On the side, I devour books in subjects ranging from sci-fi/fantasy to science and finance. I have three younger siblings—two brothers and one sister—who challenge and support me through it all.
Lynette Huynh
Lynette Huynh (she/her) is an incoming junior at Temple City High School. She has been a club swimmer for six years and a Huntington art and garden cart volunteer lead for two. She is Chinese American and spends her downtime reading, sewing, running, and working on perfecting her native language: Cantonese. Lynette is passionate about her studies in mathematics and plans to major in statistical finance. She is the team captain of the Temple City High School swim team and has served as an assistant to the Arcadia Riptides Swim Club. Lynette advocates for sustainable fashion through the Thrift Flip Club, which she founded and leads at her school. She is also the activities director for STEMsters, where she encourages youth to take interest in STEM. She believes in being kind and welcoming to all, and building strong friendships is very important to her.
Odelia Ku
Hi, my name is Odelia Ku, a Taiwanese American from Arcadia, California. I am currently 17 years old and attend Troy High School. When I am not doing my schoolwork, I’m probably going on long walks, golfing, playing the electric guitar, or going out with my friends. Other than those hobbies, I really enjoy listening to music, reading, and cooking. I think that through meeting new people and talking with them, we can have conversations to make changes to help in the effort to fight climate change. The most important things to me are having a good education for all and creating safe spaces for conversations and exchanging ideas.
Annette Lin
Annette Lin (she/they) is a poet, pianist, and high school student with an ardent passion for public transportation. A proud Cantonese auntie at heart, she embraces coziness by crocheting sweaters in fingering weight yarn and constantly drinking jujube tea. Annette is dedicated to broadening access to education, providing free academic tutoring to foreign and domestic students since 2020. At school, Annette edits a literary magazine and leads a history bowl team. On the weekends, she reads and writes poetry, volunteers at The Huntington, and plays chamber music with her friends. Annette keeps herself from doomscrolling by weaponizing her student status for discounts at her local symphony orchestra, scrapbooking, and collecting secondhand dictionaries.
Annie Liu
Hello, I am Annie Liu, and I am a senior at La Salle High School in Pasadena, California. I have been visiting the Huntington Library since I was little, and I have always wanted to spread environmental awareness and sustainability to others, especially in my community. In my free time, I enjoy reading, playing tennis, walking my dog, and learning new skills, such as baking and skating. Education and giving back to my community are incredibly important to me. I am grateful to have this opportunity.
Emily Nagamoto
Emily Nagamoto (she/her) is a recent college graduate looking to use data and research to make a meaningful impact in the climate change and society space. She currently works as a research assistant at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory as well as the Heat Policy Innovation Hub at the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability. While she loves getting her hands in the data, she is also passionate about science communication and intersectional collaboration. In her undergrad, she worked with the sustainability office to put on a number of projects related to zero waste and upcycling, and she is trying to implement these practices into her personal life as well. Having just been a student trying to make sense of and make a difference in the climate and sustainability space, she hopes to share her experiences and listen to the next generation to build change together.
Delphine R.
I am deeply passionate about nature, sustainable travel, and women’s issues. With a love for art, I creatively express my commitment to eco-friendly practices through my handmade pieces. My interest in travel has been a window into different cultures around the world. I actively support sustainable fashion, believing in the power to impact our future planet one purchase at a time. Cherishing the bonds of friendship, I value connections with like-minded individuals who share my dedication to these causes. My work reflects a blend of creativity and environmental stewardship, aiming to foster a more sustainable and connected community.
Kaarthiga Selvakkumaran
Hi, I’m Kaarthiga Selvakkumaran, a mentor of the Youth Advisory Council and part of the class of 2026 at Arcadia High School. In my free time, I enjoy going on walks with my dog, gardening, hiking, playing tennis, and cooking. My family and friends are very important to me; they are always there for me and ready to support me. I’ve always loved working with people, especially kids, because it’s a wonderful way to meet new people. I want to work as an environmental engineer in the future in order to help develop tactics to combat climate change issues. I’m very honored to be a mentor of the Youth Advisory Council for Sustainable C.H.A.N.G.E.S., because I’ll be able to use my experience to educate the public about adapting more sustainable practices.
Jaclyn Sim
Jaclyn Sim (she/her) is a member of the 2026 class at Flintridge Preparatory School. She is passionate about art and plans to major in art history as her next step toward a career in the art world. She dedicates her after-school hours and weekends to volunteer with Reading Partners, the Sierra Madre Creative Arts Group, and the Huntington Library as the art cart lead volunteer. She works to develop her leadership skills as the founder and president of the art history club at her school, and she advocates for her passions in art and literacy as a member of the presidential cabinet on the Global Youth Mission’s Activist Book Club. Jaclyn is Korean American and has been dedicated to advancing her own language skills in Spanish, French, and Korean. As the co-president of the Partners of the Americas chapter at Flintridge Preparatory, Jaclyn focuses on facilitating literacy programs across various communities within the Partners organization. Through these efforts, she aims to highlight and utilize art as a catalyst for language development.
Caymin Tran
Caymin Tran (he/him) is a senior at Temple City High School. He’s the editor-in-chief of his school’s yearbook and president of the Brighter Side Singers. With a passion in a wide variety of interests, Caymin loves Star Wars, politics, musicals, video games, and barbershop quartets. He has volunteered at The Huntington for about three years and loves helping guests with activities around the gardens. If you ask him for dog photos, he has more than enough to share of his aunt’s crusty white dog named Kobe. Even if you don’t ask, you are bound to eventually see a photo of Kobe.
Kayla Woo
Hi! My name is Kayla Woo, and I am currently a senior at La Cañada High School. I am applying to college as a sociology major, and I hope to pursue a career in that field. In my free time, I enjoy cooking or baking for my family and friends. I also enjoy going to Pilates classes and working out during the week. Some things that are important to me are my family and my two dogs. On a larger scale, I also find climate change and working together to help our Earth important. I am excited for this program and to work with my peers to hopefully increase sustainability and help our planet.
Climate Change Resources
Check out this list of books compiled by the curators of the exhibition, including full-text 19th-century climate fiction courtesy of Project Gutenberg, and a list of climate- and sustainability-related nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and children’s and young adult books.
Listen to podcasts—recommended by the “Storm Cloud” curators—that discuss climate change in the context of the past, present, and future.
For any questions or concerns, contact Jessie Jennewein, Youth Summit program specialist, at jjennewein@huntington.org.
This program is made possible with support from Getty through its PST ART: Art & Science Collide initiative.
The Huntington Sustainable C.H.A.N.G.E.S. Youth Summit is among more than 70 exhibitions and programs presented as part of PST ART. Returning in September 2024 with its latest edition, PST ART: Art & Science Collide, this landmark regional event explores the intersections of art and science, both past and present. PST ART is presented by Getty. For more information, visit PST ART: Art & Science Collide
Generous support is provided by the Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Science Initiative. Additional funding is provided by an anonymous foundation and the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation.