Youth Service Award

Unite For Sight Fall 2004 Youth Service Award:
Ms. Rachel Weng, 16 years old

Unite For Sight's International Youth Leader Award is given four times annually to recognize a Unite For Sight youth leader whose volunteer efforts promote positive social change to improve global health. The recipient receives a certificate, is profiled for three months on Unite For Sight's website, and is nominated by Unite For Sight for other international service awards.

In recognition of her dedication to Unite For Sight and her remarkable graphic design, Rachel Weng has been selected for Unite For Sight's first International Youth Leader Award. Rachel's creativity, maturity, and enthusiasm is evidenced by her impressive graphic design. It is remarkable that a 16 year old can have such remarkable initiative, ingenuity, and an eye for detail. Rachel began working with Unite For Sight on July 7, 2004, and she contributed a total of 155 hours during her six weeks of volunteer work. She designed 12 essential manuals for Unite For Sight that consolidated the organization's materials, enabling Unite For Sight to continue to expand rapidly to new communities, universities, and countries.

Art has been Rachel's favorite hobby and greatest talent. She has participated in many art contests and exhibitions, and her photograph "The Distant Vista" was selected for the International Library of Photography's anthology that was published in September 2004.

In addition to her gifts in art, Rachel is also a talented student. She is a junior at Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, which is cited as "the most rigorous program of its kind in the nation," by Julian C. Stanley, PhD, a professor of quantitative psychology and Director of the Study of Mathematically Precocious Youth (SMPY) at Johns Hopkins University. Just three years ago, Rachel could not speak English when she first arrived in the United States from China. She was determined to read complex books of literature and learn new vocabulary words, which helped her improve her English tremendously in a short period of time. During her sophomore year, she was awarded the State Regents Scholar, and she has been selected for "Who is Who Among High School Students" for two consecutive years. As a junior this year, her classes include American Literature, American History, Spanish II, Precalculus III, Physics, Chemistry, Programming with Java, and art.

Rachel says that among all of the arts, graphic design captures her attention most because it requires and stimulates originality and creativity. "Yet it was not until this summer that I found the opportunity to contribute my time and skills to the community," says Rachel. "I hesitated a little at first about whether to apply for the volunteer graphic design position since I am not a professional designer, but then it occurred to me that volunteerism is in everyone, for everyone, and most importantly, is to be supported by everyone. Hence, I started my exciting journey with Unite For Sight."