Leadership, Research, and Civic Impact: A Recap from IvyMax Irvine Center

Celebrating Service, Voice, and Community Impact

On August 28, 2025, the IvyMax Irvine Center hosted a high-impact youth education and community recognition forum, co-organized by the Franklin Education Foundation, IvyMax Foundation, Franklin Arts, and the Youth Public Service Institution (YPSI). The event brought together students, parents, community organizers, and political leaders to celebrate youth service, civic involvement, and academic research.

Themed “Celebrating Leadership, Service & Community,” the event served as both a recognition ceremony and an educational exchange—offering students a unique opportunity to engage directly with civic leaders while reflecting on their own growth through hands-on research and community projects.

Distinguished Guests and Civic Leadership

The event was honored by the presence of key Orange County officials and advocates for youth and civic empowerment, including:

Supervisor Donald P. Wagner, Orange County Supervisor, 3rd District
Scott Voigts, District Director for Supervisor Don Wagner’s office, Mayor of Lake Forest
Tara Campbell, Chief of Staff for Supervisor Don Wagner’s office
Saga Conroy, Community Outreach Director for OC Supervisor Don Wagner’s Office Community Services Commissioner at City of Mission Viejo
Professor Yong Chen, Professor of History, Associate Dean of Curricular and Student Services in the School of Humanities

These public figures expressed their support for youth-led civic participation and emphasized the importance of public service at both the local and state levels.

Youth Voice and Civic Engagement

A panel discussion titled “From City Hall to County Leadership” invited students to explore how decisions made by local officials shape their daily lives—from education to public health, transportation, and safety.

Key themes included:

Your voice matters: Every student has the power to influence, inspire, and take action.
Politics starts local: Civic change often begins in your own neighborhood.
Leadership through service: Public service is a way to shape standards of living and community well-being

Student Showcases: Innovation Across Borders

The program spotlighted student-led research and community service projects from the past year. These education showcases demonstrated not only academic excellence but also a strong sense of global responsibility:

Hunan Microfinance Project – Tackling rural poverty through sustainable economic solutions
Costa Rica & Arizona Biodiversity Conservation Projects – Protecting ecosystems while learning scientific fieldwork
Hawaii Coastal Conservation Project – Bridging marine biology, climate awareness, and team-based field research
UCI 自动驾驶夏令营（UCI Autonomous Driving Summer Camp） – A cutting-edge engineering experience hosted by the University of California–Irvine, where students learned robotics, AI, and machine learning through hands-on workshops

Each project embodied the values of curiosity, collaboration, and purpose.

Student Reflections: Real Impact, Real Growth

Several students took the stage to reflect on their experiences:

Students shared how working in biodiversity research helped them understand the real-world consequences of climate inaction.
Another explained how mentoring from IvyMax and participating in the Summer camp program boosted both their technical skills and their confidence.
A few even mentioned how the experience changed their career goals—from test-takers to changemakers.

Their testimonials were powerful reminders that leadership is not defined by age—but by initiative and courage.

Community Recognition & Closing Moments

The program concluded with a Student Recognition Ceremony led by Ms. Saga Conroy, honoring individuals and groups for their exceptional contributions to service, research, and leadership.

Recognized organizations included:

Franklin Academy & Franklin Arts
IvyMax Mentors and the IvyMax student cohort
YPSI Clubs and global program participants

The afternoon ended with a celebratory group photo and warm conversations between students, parents, and community leaders—a shared moment of pride and possibility.

Preparing Leaders Who Serve

This event at the IvyMax Irvine Center was more than a ceremony—it was a reflection of a growing movement: students choosing to lead with purpose, serve with integrity, and use their voice to build a better world.

From the presence of U.S. Army leaders to the words of elected officials, and from student-led research to global community projects, every moment served as a reminder that leadership begins with service, and the future is already in motion.

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