ABOUT US

Purpose

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 45% of items are
wrongfully thrown into landfills even though they are recyclable.

Our goal is to raise awareness about the importance of recycling and educate people on the correct recycling method. We focus on educating specifically young children, who will carry the future responsibility of protecting the earth.
By teaching the significance of recycling, we hope to inspire young kids to take action
and maintain a sustainable environment, today and in the future.

Although it may seem that one person won’t be enough to create a change in the environment,
we believe every little action will accumulate into a large social impact.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Founder & President
Jiin Yun

Jiin Yun is a senior at the Orange County School of the Arts. She believes that educating the future generation about proper recycling is key to preserving our oceans and our natural resources. Besides publishing a children’s book about recycling, she promotes environmental awareness through different forms of writing. She received a gold key from the Scholastic Arts and Writing Competition for her poem about impacted ocean life. Jiin Yun is also the finalist of the 2023 River of Words competition, the largest youth poetry and art contest in the world that promotes environmental literacy through the arts and cultural exchange. Besides her passion for the environment, Jiin Yun is an avid cellist. She is a member of the National Youth Orchestra of America (NYO-USA), and will tour the continent with world-class violinists Gil Shaham and Hilary Hahn in the summer of 2023.

Vice-President & Social Media Director
 Mary Hong

A junior at Orange County School of the Arts. She is passionate about spreading awareness and acknowledging the importance of promoting a sustainable society for a greener future. She is also deeply invested into environmental science through competitions and utilizing the knowledge she gained to help others. She won district 1st place in the PTA Reflections Art Program for her artwork of endangered species being rescued by humans. She is also actively participating in the Science Olympiad program and has received awards such as 3rd place Marine Biology and 4th place Green Generation nationally. Mary is also conscious about giving back to those around her. She has been a part of Interverse education providing free ESL tutoring to kids in China, Taiwan, and Korea.

Secretary
Sky Keyoung

A senior at Orange County School of the Arts in the Classical Voice Conservatory. She has founded the organization ClimateLitNow in hopes to create solutions through public policy and youth education. Sky Keyoung is also the host of Climate Activate, a podcast dedicated to teaching youth about various climate-related careers. Outside of her environmental endeavors, Sky Keyoung is a soprano and opera singer. She has won numerous international and regional awards and will be playing the lead role of Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus in the spring of 2023.

Co-Director of Research
Jimin Han

Jimin Han is a junior at Portola High School. She loves studying bioengineering and environmental science, and is passionate about making the earth a better place for the future generations to live on. She attempts to raise awareness in sustainability through her activities in art and science. She won the 2023 district’s earth day poster contest with a painting about reducing food waste, and also won the 2nd place in 2021-2022 district science fair with a project about how the environment and plant health in Orange County was negatively affected by Silverado Fire. She also is a color guard captain at Portola, and plays violin in the school’s symphonic orchestra.

Co-Director of Research
Melissa Wo

Melissa Wu is a senior at Santa Margarita Catholic High School, has a passion for environmental sciences, specifically marine biology, as well as chemistry. She’s currently working to raise awareness in conservation of wildlife through artwork and starting an environmental awareness club at SM. Outside of these endeavors, she’s an avid artist and pianist, having won 2 silver medals at the branch Certificate of Merit Theme Festival competitions in 2019 and 2020

Director of Technology
Willie Yao

A senior at Orange County School of the Arts, Willie Yao is deeply committed to climate activism, while also harboring a passion for technology and photography. He recently served as a Content Production Intern at Operation Climate Podcast, a 501C3 student-run nonprofit based out of Duke University. During his internship, Willie dove deep into many climate issues, honed his communication and research skills, and unleashed his creativity. His passion for environmental awareness, fueled by countless outdoor adventures as a Boy Scout, motivated him to speak during the Student Advisory Board on Legislation in Education for Environmental Sustainability. Recognized by the California Legislature for his work, Willie exemplifies a lifelong commitment to environmental awareness and activism. Beyond his environmental pursuits, Willie is the proud founder of his school's Esports Club. A passionate gamer and leader, he has been invited nationwide to network with gaming executives and speak on panels working with corporate sponsors and players to host events.

ADVISORY BOARD

Christopher Lim

Founder of Hollywood Urban Communities LLC, a Real Estate Development and Management firm in multifamily. He is currently developing Hollywood Urban Communities I LLC and Hollywood Urban Communities II LLC both located in East Hollywood, the first two of 100 multifamily real estate development projects to come. In the past he has led teams to efficiently manage numerous residential construction projects with aggressive timelines to ensure timely return on investment. As Broker-Owner of Neighborhood Consulting Inc,
he has demonstrated success in leading Real Estate Investment ventures and firms in order to achieve superior financial returns. His track record as broker includes proven accomplishments leading effective negotiations for property purchases and successfully negotiating sales of completed properties. Given his extensive experience in leadership within real estate and having served on the board of the Asian Real Estate Association of America for the Greater Los Angeles Chapter as President in 2021, Christopher has access to key networks and up to date knowledge about current industry trends. His access and experiences help him to proactively assess and analyze potential investment opportunities to ensure that only ventures with potential are considered.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE

Southern California

Northern California

Georgia

Mary Hong

Annie Ho

A current junior at Collins Hill High School, Annie Ho is passionate about involving the community into the realms of health and environmental science, as President Elect of her local Key Club and Medical Careers Club. She is working to introduce a new chapter of The Recycling Dictionary to Georgia, in order to educate more students across the community on how to properly recycle. Annie is also dedicated to representing her heritage by serving as a leader in the Asian American Student Association at Collins Hill, and the Vietnamese Eucharist Youth Movement at her church.