Molly Youn

 A community-driven leader

Core Values: Community, Compassion, and Drive 

Bio

Molly Youn is a senior at Trinity Christian Academy in Dallas, Texas. As a third generation Korean American, she struggled for much of her life with her ethnicity. Through all of elementary and middle school, she did everything she could to “fit in” by shunning her culture. She felt out of place–too Asian to be part of the white group, but too white to fit in with the first and second generation Korean Americans. During the height of the coronavirus pandemic, Molly had time to herself, learning more about Korean culture and reflecting on her identity without the external pressures of conformity in society. Now, Molly is the president of KAYAT, the Korean American Youth Artists of Texas, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and she is the cofounder of the student diversity council at her school. Outside of those, Molly loves music. She plays classical guitar, leads as Captain of the school's drumline at her school, and serves on drum set for her church’s youth worship team. Molly also loves hanging out with her friends, gardening, and drinking boba tea. 

 

Work with Molly
IMPACT PROJECTS  | HIGHLIGHTS

 

President of KAYAT (non-profit)

 Molly was an inaugural member and is the president of KAYAT, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Dallas, Texas, where teens explore Korean culture through various art forms like dance, art, music, and folktales to help Korean Americans and Korean adoptees connect with their heritage. As president, Molly works with KAYAT’s members to learn different art forms to perform at festivals and teach Korean adoptees every summer at the Dillon International Korean Heritage Camp in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She, along with KAYAT’s board of directors, has been invited to events such as the DFW World Affair Council’s Art & Seoul Event and the Korean American Elected Officials Forum to learn more about increasing civic leadership.

Co-founder of her school’s student-led diversity council (SDC)

Molly also is a cofounder of her school’s student-led diversity council (SDC). After noticing the lack of cultural awareness in her school, Molly worked to develop a student-led diversity council to bring change to the community. She was nominated by her school’s administration to represent her school at the Student Diversity Symposium hosted at Baylor University, where schools around the nation gathered to discuss challenges and solutions to racial issues they face. She now works to organize events and multicultural competitions to promote cultural awareness and appreciation.

            Q&A with Molly

 

What others experienced

" I loved the entire experience. I was stuck with my project for a LONG time and I'm glad my mentor helped me. Not only did she help me with my project but she helped me connect with other researchers and experts."

—Amanda

8th Grade 

 

YES, I WANT IN!