Youth Spotlight: John

Get ready to meet John, one of FEEST’s dynamic Student Organizers! Discover his aspirations, reflections on his FEEST journey, and valuable advice for fellow Student Organizers and high school seniors. Dive into the blog to learn more about John!

John (he/him) is a senior at Franklin High School and a proud second-generation Asian American. As a student organizer with FEEST, he advocates for student mental health and a more flexible school experience. Passionate about public speaking and community building, John plans to major in computer science and aims to become an aerospace programmer. He’s driven by the belief in youth-led change and is committed to giving back to his community.

Dev: Hi John! Thank you again for taking the time to meet with me, especially after school! Let’s start with the first question: Introduce yourself, and share anything that you are comfortable sharing like your Pronouns, Current Grade & School, favorite color, animal, shows you’re watching right now, etc!

John: My name is John. I’m a senior at Franklin High School. My favorite color is blue. A fun fact about me is I went to my first K-pop concert recently to see ENHYPEN.

Dev: Nice! Congratulations your first concert and on being a senior! My next question is,Why did you decide to join FEEST? 

John: What attracted me to FEEST at first was the idea of having a job or internship to get paid. But I stayed for the community and the work we do, like advocating for schools and student mental health. I also want future generations to have a likable school experience.

Dev: I assume your school experience wasn’t likable?

John: It wasn’t. I hated staying in school for six hours a day, going through every single period. There was no freedom to pick classes. You had to follow a strict schedule without flexibility. It made the experience really rigid and stressful.

Dev: That’s real. Especially when you get your class schedule and wonder why they put you in certain classes. They won’t let you change it without a valid reason.

John: Exactly. You can’t just say you don’t want a class; there has to be a valid reason like a conflict or a typo. It’s frustrating because it feels like your voice and preferences aren’t being considered.

Dev: I struggled with my school experience too. My next question is: What is one thing you learned about yourself while at FEEST?

John: At FEEST, I learned that I really enjoy a nice community. I like meeting new people and I LOVE public speaking now! I also learned that I don’t have to accept things as they are; I have the power to change them.

Dev: The power to change – that’s powerful. That’s what FEEST is about, teaching that we have the power to change things we don’t like. In that same direction of creating change, What does youth-led organizing mean to you?

John: Youth-led organizing is about shifting the power from older generations’ ways of thinking to our own. It’s about doing things in a way that is comfortable for us and changing the system. It means creating spaces where young people can lead, make decisions, and drive the changes they want to see.

Dev: Yessss I love that. What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a Student Organizer?

John: Be yourself and get out of your comfort zone. It’s hard at first, but once you’re out there, it’s amazing. The community and relationships you build are incredible. The things you learn about yourself? Exploring what else is out there in the world. I would really say just get out of your comfort zone and dive headfirst into it.

Dev: That’s great advice that I think even adults need…actually that’s great advice for all ages, rated E for everyone you know? Now, my next question is why is mental health important to you? Why is FEEST’s campaign for improved mental health resources important to you? 

John: Mental health is really important, especially during these times. I’ve struggled with mental health myself just going through life and relationships. A lot of people around me have struggled too. I think it’s really important to me that they get the resources and the help they need to get through that. FEEST’s campaign is super important to me because mental health affects everyone. It’s important that everyone gets the resources they need so they can be the best person they can be. When everyone is in their best state, change can really happen.

Dev: Absolutely! You highlight that if everyone has their needs met, then we can change what’s going on around us. Mental health is a big topic, and it’s great that you have found support through FEEST. Congrats on making it to your senior year! What advice would you give to aspiring seniors on how to navigate senior year? 

John: My advice is to go out with a bang! Try to do as much as you can, not academically but for yourself, and then your community and clubs. Make it memorable! You only graduate once! Do whatever you want, for yourself. If you need a break, take a break! Do extracurriculars that YOU want to do. Take a break and do what you need.

Dev: That’s wonderful to hear! I wish I had that advice when I was a senior.  As we wrap up, tell me about your dreams! What do you envision for yourself in the future? What is your vision for the world we live in? 

John: After graduation, I plan to attend college, get a degree in the major I want and to get a high paying job afterward. But I also want to give back to my community. My hope for the future is that people in schools, regardless if they are low-income or minorities, get the resources that they need. I want high school or college or school in general to be an easier experience for everyone. I know for me it was hard, a drag almost that you carry with you. I hope life gets easier. I know it can be really hard but I’m trying to see the bright side and hope things get better. 

Dev: Thank you so much, John, for sharing your insights and experiences. I might be biased but I think things will get better. Out of curiosity, what are you going to major in?  

John: Computer science! I hope to become a computer programmer but my big shot / long shot is Aerospace programming. 

Dev: Ooooo okay aerospace! You know I love to see it. Thank you so much for chatting with me today, John! It’s inspiring to hear about your journey and your plans for the future. Congratulations again on being a senior, and best of luck with everything ahead!

Thank you for taking the time to read about John’s inspiring journey with FEEST. As our conversation with John comes to a close, it’s clear that his time with us has been one of profound growth and discovery. From finding a supportive community to embracing the power of youth-led organizing, John has truly thrived. His insights into the importance of mental health, the value of stepping out of one’s comfort zone, and his dreams for a better future are inspiring. We congratulate John on his upcoming graduation and are excited to see the impact he will undoubtedly continue to make. Best of luck, John – your future is bright, and we can’t wait to see where it takes you!