Youth Council: Leadership
Connor Hong
Youth Council President
Stepping into the role of President of the Show Me Your Heart Youth Council, I’m incredibly grateful for the journey that brought me here.
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When I first joined, I was just looking for a way to give back, but it quickly became a place where I found purpose, community, and a deeper understanding of leadership. As a swimmer, I’ve spent years learning discipline, resilience, and how to push through challenges, both individually and as part of a team. Those same values have shaped the way I lead today.
SMYH has shown me that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room, but about showing up for others, creating opportunities, and working together toward something bigger than ourselves.
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I’m excited to build on everything this organization stands for and continue creating a space where every member feels empowered to grow, lead, and make a meaningful impact. I am truly grateful to be part of a community that inspires me to keep improving and to make a positive impact, and I look forward to continuing to grow alongside others who share the same passion for helping others.
Hana Tsai
Youth Council President
Joining the Show Me Your Heart Foundation has been a transformative experience that has shaped my confidence and leadership in ways I never imagined. SMYH has shown me that true leadership comes from the willingness to step up and inspire change. Leadership is about the positive impact you can have on others through your passion to help.
The foundation has provided me a community where I have been supported and empowered since seventh grade. Through SMYH, I have seen creativity uplifting and healing others. This taught me the value of serving others and the profound impact the SMYH members can have when we come together for a greater cause.
Being a part of SMYH foundation has given me the ability to lead with empathy and integrity. I’m proud to be a member of the SMYH Youth Council and excited to continue my journey of growth, knowing the work we do makes a difference. SMYH has given hardworking students, like me, the chance to become leaders who will inspire others. Thank you for the honor of serving as president of the Show Me Your Heart Youth Council.
Joshua Cha
Youth Council President
When I first joined the Show Me Your Heart Foundation, I didn’t realize how meaningful it would become in my life. What began as a simple way to get involved, meet new people, and give back to my community became much more than that. The foundation fostered a place where students like me were encouraged to step up, take initiative, and develop the confidence to lead.
Through every event and opportunity, I learned to communicate more effectively and to embrace unfamiliar experiences that pushed me beyond my comfort zone. Most importantly, serving on the Youth Council taught me that leadership isn’t defined by titles or recognition. It’s about collaboration, listening, and working alongside others with a shared purpose. It’s about showing up for your team and contributing to something bigger than yourself.
I’m grateful for every experience that has shaped me, and I’m excited to continue this journey as president of the SMYH Foundation—carrying forward the values I’ve learned while continuing to grow and discover what it truly means to lead with heart.
Albert Lee
Youth Council Vice President
The Show Me Your Heart Foundation (SMYH) is a very dear organization to me. I have had the incredible opportunity to be part of the foundation for many years now, and throughout my time here, I have learned and experienced what true leadership looks like. I have had the extraordinary opportunity to work with a remarkable group of leaders and students—not only from the tri-state area but also from across the U.S. and even abroad—on a range of projects addressing international, national, and local issues. These initiatives have allowed me to witness firsthand the real and lasting impact SMYH creates through music, art, and, most importantly, hard work.
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I am extremely excited to continue the mission of SMYH alongside my fellow council members as Vice President. Every time we organize an initiative or event, I see a community put its heart, love, and energy into creating positive change, both small and large, in the world. The foundation has not only provided me with the resources to grow in confidence and leadership in ways I never imagined, but has also shown me the importance of empathy and dedication in a leader. I am deeply grateful for the experiences and opportunities SMYH has provided to other students and me, whether through networking or leadership roles—resources that encourage and inspire us to contribute so meaningfully to those around us.
Caden Cho
Youth Council Vice President
"Finding my voice, leading with heart.”
Most of my life, I’ve only known swimming—a sport where it’s just me against the clock. I never really thought about how I might interact with others or take on leadership roles outside the pool. But through Show Me Your Heart, I found a space to grow socially, watch amazing upperclassmen and mentors, and see what real leadership looks like. It made me reflect on my own actions, step out of my comfort zone, and work on becoming more confident and finding my own voice.
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Being part of so many events—art shows, music performances, gallery exhibitions, and other projects—has been an amazing experience for me. Working alongside so many talented students, helping each other, and contributing to meaningful causes has taught me how to collaborate and lead in a real community. Through these events, I’ve seen how much voice and impact we as students can have, working with adults, learning from them, and taking initiative together. It’s shown me how to be responsible, thoughtful, and proactive, and I really feel that the skills and experiences I’m gaining here will guide me in college and beyond, helping me become a strong, positive leader in society.
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I want to thank Heather Choi, Director Ahn, Show Me Your Heart, and the Tiger Moms for all the amazing opportunities. To all the younger students coming up, or anyone who wants to learn true leadership—leadership with heart—there is no better place than this organization. I can’t recommend it enough.
Living under the shadows of alopecia totalis, a rare autoimmune disease, and a rare digestive disorder called superior mesenteric artery syndrome, I once viewed “rare” as a euphemism, a word to soften the painful reality that I had no hair, that I was forced to endure extreme digestive pain that I felt could never be explained in words.
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In the midst of my personal struggles, I discovered the SMYH Foundation, where I found myself by giving back to the community and found courage on stage, transforming my pain into a message of purpose.
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Today, I no longer view “rare” as a euphemism; I see it as a gem. Like a mosaic, our world is made beautiful by its unique voices. SMYH is not just an organization; to me, it is a second home and the light that guided me out of the shadows of my disease. As Vice President, I hope to return that light to the world, for we empower ourselves in empowering others, find joy in bringing joy to others, and are healed, most profoundly, when we give to others. Thank you so much for the honor of serving as Vice President of the Show Me Your Heart Youth Council.
Hyunseo Ryu
Youth Council Vice President
I have never imagined that joining Show Me Your Heart Foundation would be such a valuable experience for me when I first joined. I am truly grateful to SMYH for granting me the opportunities that allowed me to grow significantly as a leader. Through my involvement in diverse events in the organization such as art exhibitions and competitions, I learned how to cooperate with others in the process of planning and preparing for group projects. Coordinating exhibitions taught me the importance of teamwork, attention to detail, and adaptability in different occasions. I developed skills in planning, communication, and decision-making while celebrating the creativity of others. I was also able to improve my weaknesses such as public speaking and improvising which I was lacking.
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Show Me Your Heart also has given me priceless opportunities to meet and learn from accomplished leaders and professionals. Their insights, experiences, and guidance inspired me to think bigger, stay motivated, and continuously improve.
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Overall, working in Show Me Your Heart Youth Council as Art Committee Chair has shaped my leadership, and taught me the importance of responsibility and perseverance. I am sincerely glad that I am able to be part of Show Me Your Heart Foundation.
Andrew Kim
Youth Council Vice President
When I first joined the Show Me Your Heart Foundation I never knew how much of an impact it would have on my life. SMYH has given me the opportunity to meet so many inspiring people, make new meaningful friendships, and overall grow as a person.
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SMYH has given me so much more then just memories, it has given me a purpose and an amazing community. This foundation has provided me with a growth in confidence and has motivated me to continue helping others whenever I can. On top of that, I have grown so much as a leader, and took on roles that I never could’ve imagined myself taking just 4-5 years ago. I have become a new person, and learned what it really means to be a leading individual.
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I am so grateful to be apart of the Show Me Your Heart Foundation, and every event, every moment, being here has just kept teaching me more and more new things that has given me so much passion and determination. Every student here has grown in some way while being in SMYH, and I am proud to say that I have as well. I hope to continue growing as a person, learning new things, and impacting the community in a positive way for the rest of my time in the Show Me Your Heart Foundation.
SMYH Youth Council Organizational Structure
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Founder & Chairperson - Heather W. Choi
Presidents: Connor Hong, Hana Kim Tsai, Joshua Cha
Vice Presidents: Albert Lee, Caden Cho, Audrey Kim, Hyunseo Ryu, Andrew Kim,
Program Director - Hana J. Ahn
Artistic Director - Joo Hyun Kate Kim
Art Director - Yoon Jin Song
Committee Advisors:
Music Committee - Dongyun Kim, Soyoung Lee
Art Committee - Yoon Jin Song Dir., Hyangsoo Kwon
Social Media Committee - Kelly Kim
Event Committee - Jooyeon Hong, Jeeyoung Kim
Helping Hands Committee - Hana Ahn Dir.
​Youth Council Members
12th: Edward Lee, Zion Cheon, Leane Kwon, Hyaemhin Moon, Vivian Oh
11th: Connor Hong, Hana Kim Tsai, Joshua Cha, Albert Lee, Caden Cho, Audrey Kim, Hyunseo Ryu, Andrew Kim
10th: Jinha Park, Angella Cheon, Joseph Moon, Christian Kang
9TH: Grace Yuna Joung, Kylie Welles, Evalyn Lee, Yoonseong Lee, Madeleine Oh, Jonathan Park
Ambassador: Olivia Kim, Claire Kim, Semin Chun, Sejin Chun, Joshua Tom, Rachel Kim, Soleaf Song, Solomon Song, Samuel H Chong,
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SMYH Junior Council Members: Chris Cho, Noah Kang, Rohan Kim, Evan Park, Yena Lee, Lois Kwon