We are thrilled to announce the 2024 Fall GYP Volunteer Awards winners! This marks the third year that Boston Global Youth Philanthropy has recognized outstanding young volunteers from around the globe. This year’s awards honor nine exceptional students, each demonstrating a remarkable commitment to service, empathy, and global humanitarian efforts.
Three students are recognized for the second year among the awardees, underscoring their continued dedication and inspiring work in their communities. Their sustained efforts reflect the impact that youth can have on pressing humanitarian challenges worldwide.
Please join us in congratulating these young changemakers and celebrating their contributions toward a more compassionate, interconnected world.
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Tiffany Li Webber Academy in Calgary, Canada
Tiffany is a Grade 12 student living in Calgary, Canada, who attends Webber Academy. She enjoys debate, dance, art, and music. Tiffany has done debate since she was in Grade 8, and since then, she has participated in provincial, national, and international competitions, receiving team and personal awards. Since she started debating, Tiffany has achieved first place in the 2021 Alberta Regionals, first place in the 2021 Alberta Provincials, first place in the 2021 Impact Debate Tournament, top 10 in the 2022 BP Nationals, second place in the 2021 Jack Howe World School Tournament, and top 12 in the Harvard World Schools Tournament. Tiffany additionally enjoys volunteering and participating in numerous volunteer activities, including teaching others debate.
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Wilson Xie from St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire
A rower. An artist. A writer. An innovator. An environmental advocate. A volunteer. An individual who strives to serve the greater good. A practical dreamer for a brighter future. Hi! I am Wilson Xie, a junior at St. Paul’s School in Concord, NH. I am part of the cross-country, hockey, and rowing teams and a student passionate about social studies. Outside of school, I did many hours of service in cleaning riverbanks and plateaus, drawing with children with autism, and starting platforms for item exchange and social innovation. I also love writing, drawing, speaking, and creating, so I drove myself to write research papers, host art exhibitions, speak at international conferences, and create my wave-energy harvester.
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Chloe Wang Ernest Manning High School in Calgary, Canada
Hi! My name is Chloe Wang. I am a Grade 11 student at Ernest Manning High School in Calgary, Canada. Optimism, kindness, and a warm heart define my approach to life and relationships. I believe in the power of positivity and the impact a simple act of kindness can have on those around us. Since a young age, I have found joy and self-expression through dancing. It’s not merely a hobby for me. It’s a passion that has been with me throughout my life, shaping my experiences and fostering a deep appreciation for movement and creativity. I am excited about the journey ahead in GYP, where I will continue to learn, grow, and contribute to the rich tapestry of experiences that shape who I am.
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Ivy Li from Beijing No. 2 Middle School, China
Ivy Li is a sophomore at the International Department of Beijing No. 2 Middle School. She serves as the president of the Capital Children’s Research Institute Volunteer Service Society at the school, where she leads members in long-term volunteer initiatives designed to improve the medical experience of sick children and offer them emotional support. Ivy leads a team at the Children’s Health Center of the Capital Institute of Pediatrics every Tuesday and Friday afternoon. They work through the eight floors of the clinic to sort, repair, and sanitize the books on nine shelves. To date, club members have successfully repaired and disinfected over a thousand books and added nearly a hundred new ones.
Passionate about technology, she won first prize in the 2024 China Youth Interstellar Exploration and Innovation Competition finals.
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Boan Chen at Fraser Height Secondary, BC, Canada
Boan Chen is a grade 11 Fraser Height Secondary, Surrey, British Columbia student. Since grade 4, Boan’s favorite hobby is Chinese calligraphy, fostering his creative mindset and critical thinking skills. Amid the undulating high school journey between success and failure, Boan learned the importance of self-awareness and perseverance, which are essential to personal growth. During grade 10 summer break, Boan attended a summer program called ShadOnCampous at Mount Allison University, where he met and collaborated with like-minded colleagues in tackling problems such as the “Real-World Design Project.” It was through this real-life experience that Boan could develop his interpersonal abilities, and he is looking forward to seeing their contributive effects and continuing to self-develop in Boston-Global Youth Philanthropy.
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Kemi (Yuannan) Huang from Salisbury School in Connecticut
Hi! My name is Kemi Huang, and I am a freshman at Salisbury School in Connecticut. I have a very active personality and can talk about everything; helping others when they need me is one thing I always do. I thrive on asking questions, contributing ideas, and creating a vibrant classroom learning environment. Group projects and discussions fuel my passion for communication, especially in subjects like history and English literature. Beyond academics, I actively participate in school sports like hockey and lacrosse, aiming to try football next year. I love doing team sports because I enjoy playing with my friends and working hard for the same goal, and also because of the essential values behind it. Outside school, I enjoy spending time with friends and family. I also have a significant interest in movies and traveling around the world.
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Connor Mi from Colonel By Secondary School in Ottawa, Canada
An 11th-grade student, Connor is currently immersed in the dynamic environment of the English and French bilingual IB diploma program at Colonel By Secondary School in Ottawa, Canada. Connor has a deep fascination with human expression through means of literature and media from diverse cultures, which has driven him to be proficient in seven languages, enabling him to explore authentic press from different countries and become a translator for TEDx. He has cultivated musical talents since a young age, is skilled in playing the piano, flute, and drums, and has earned recognition with numerous awards, including two RCM regional gold medals. Connor has a profound commitment to community service. To support his peers, he founded iCare Youth, a Canada-wide youth organization that has received the Northern Lights Award from the Alberta government. In addition, he passionately contributes to environmental conservation programs.
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Jenny Bu from Rockridge Secondary School in Vancouver, Canada
My name is Jenny Bu, and I am a Grade 9 student at Rockridge Secondary School in Vancouver, Canada. In the realm of music, I have been playing the cello and drums for several years and enjoy singing, which led me to join our school choir and share my deep passion for musical expression. As a competitive badminton player, I have won many games and recently was honored with the Prestige Award for Athletics. Academics are another area where I shine, as I consistently perform strongly and excel, particularly in mathematics. With a keen interest in diverse cultures and languages, I am self-studying three world languages, hoping to understand the world more deeply.
I hold an executive position at iCare Youth, where I help develop programs and tutor students in math. Realizing the challenges many international students face, I co-founded a youth organization, Maple Bridge, which is dedicated to providing support and resources for them.
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Martin Jiachen Liu from Calgary, Canada
Hi! My name is Martin. I’m currently a Grade 11 student at Ernest Manning High School in Calgary, Canada, and I take great pride in my Chinese heritage. I strive to live by the values of optimism, kindness, and empathy, which shape my approach to life and my relationships with others. One of my biggest passions is badminton. The thrill of competition and the joy of teamwork inspires me to push my limits both on and off the court. I held the gyp club in my school with my tutor, Mrs McGillivray, and I hope we will become successful in our club.
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Xinran Liu (Tracy) from Lawrence Academy in Massachusetts
I am Tracy from Lawrence Academy in Massachusetts. I love diabolo (Chinese yoyo), debate, poem composition, and math. I enjoy working with others and contributing to the community. I run the diabolo yoyo club, which has 217 / 400 members at school, and successfully let more people know about Chinese culture.