At 15, Chandler high school sophomore Cathy (Yuxuan) Jiang is tackling an issue with worldwide consequences: illiteracy. This year, she was named a 2025 Youth Ambassador for the World Literacy Foundation, joining a group of young leaders from 90 countries who are working to expand access to education across the globe.
“I was inspired to apply because I believe education is a fundamental human right with the power to transform lives,” Jiang says. “But simply wishing for change isn’t enough, which is why I wanted to turn my ideas into action.”
For Jiang, literacy is deeply personal. Her family’s move from China to the United States, and her parents’ successful careers, were made possible through education. She has also seen family members use education to break cycles of poverty.
“Every child should be able to read, dream, and succeed,” she says.
Jiang had already begun putting her passion into practice. Her goal was to raise $400 for the World Literacy Foundation. A Barnes & Noble fundraiser brought her halfway there, and she planned another event with Papa John’s to close the gap.
“I am especially proud of the Barnes & Noble fundraiser,” she says. “It pushed me outside of my comfort zone, helped me grow more confident, and allowed me to spread awareness about literacy.”
Beyond fundraising, she hopes to amplify the cause through social media.
“That’s how many of my peers and I receive news about the world,” she says.
Her leadership extends into multiple service projects. Jiang is the founding president of her school’s Brighten a Day chapter, vice president of the Student Mentorship Club, social media manager for Future Business Leaders of America, and founder of the Moon Mission Initiative, which partners with UNICEF to support children and refugees.
“To me, being a Youth Ambassador means serving as part of something bigger than myself,” Jiang says. “Teenagers often receive a bad reputation in society, but we can accomplish great things.”
She hopes her example will inspire others to step up.
“The hardest part is starting,” she says. “Put your ideas into action, no matter how small. If you shoot for the moon, you might just land among the stars.”
Learn more at WorldLiteracyFoundation.org.