This article is part of our Youth Voices series. At Ten Strands, we believe that young people have valuable perspectives and a critical role in shaping our society and our world. We recognize their power to drive dialogue and create positive change and are committed to providing a platform which amplifies their contributions. Today, you’ll meet Addie Luong, one of the inspiring youth leaders contributing to this important work.
Addie Luong’s journey with Ten Strands reflects the power of youth leadership, mentorship, and a commitment to turning concern into action. As a member of the second cohort of the California Youth Climate Policy (CYCP) Leadership Program, Addie led a successful advocacy campaign in the Folsom Cordova Unified School District that culminated in the adoption of a district climate action and adaptation resolution. Through this experience, she discovered the power of coalition building, public engagement, and local policy change.
Following her participation in CYCP, Addie continued her leadership journey by serving as a Ten Strands student intern during Summer 2025, where she supported recruitment, mentoring, and storytelling efforts for the next generation of climate leaders. She later joined the inaugural California Youth Environmental Data (CYED) Leadership Program, where she deepened her understanding of how data and field research can support environmental and climate action in schools.
Addie recently graduated from Vista del Lago High School in Folsom, California, and is heading off to college where she plans to study environmental systems and policy. She hopes to continue exploring the intersection of climate action, education, and public policy while empowering future generations of environmental leaders.
Q: Why did you want to pursue an internship with Ten Strands, and what was your experience during your internship?
A: I applied for an internship with Ten Strands after completing Cohort 2 of the California Youth Climate Policy Leadership Program because I wanted to give back to the climate advocacy community that had supported me throughout my own campaign. CYCP had a tremendous impact on my growth as a climate leader, and I wanted to help create that same experience for other students.
During my internship, I supported the launch of CYCP Cohort 3. One of my first responsibilities was helping review student applications. Reading through applications from students across California was inspiring because it reminded me how many young people are passionate about creating positive change in their communities.
Once the cohort launched, I participated in several program workshops and meetings, sharing lessons learned from my own advocacy campaign and offering advice to students as they developed their projects. Being able to support the next generation of CYCP leaders was one of the most meaningful aspects of the internship. It felt like a full-circle moment to move from participant to mentor.
I also had the opportunity to interview CYCP alum Ella Min as part of the Changemaker Stories series. Listening to another student’s leadership journey reinforced how many different pathways exist for climate advocacy and reminded me that meaningful change happens when young people learn from one another and build supportive communities.
Throughout the internship, I was continually inspired by the students, mentors, and staff involved in the program. Seeing the work that people across California were doing to improve their schools and communities strengthened my belief that youth leadership is an essential part of creating a more sustainable future.
Q: In what ways do you hope your internship made an impact?
A: I hope my contributions helped empower the students in Cohort 3 to feel confident pursuing their own advocacy campaigns. One of the most valuable things I gained from CYCP was the belief that young people can create meaningful change, and I wanted to pass that message on to other students.
Whether through sharing advice during workshops, reviewing applications, or contributing to Changemaker Stories, I hoped to remind students that they are capable of making an impact in their schools and communities. Having the opportunity to support someone else’s climate leadership journey was one of the most rewarding parts of the internship and continues to motivate me to stay involved in environmental advocacy.
Q: What skills did you develop through your internship?
A: The internship helped me strengthen both technical and professional skills. On a practical level, I became much more comfortable organizing information and working with data in Google Sheets. I also developed stronger time management skills as I balanced internship responsibilities with other commitments during the summer.
The internship also helped me grow as a mentor and communicator. Supporting younger students required me to reflect on my own experiences, identify lessons that might be helpful to others, and communicate those ideas clearly. I learned that leadership is not only about advancing your own projects, but also about helping others succeed.
Q: How have your experiences with CYCP, the internship, and CYED shaped your future goals?
A: My experiences with Ten Strands have shown me that environmental and climate action can take many forms—from advocacy and policy change to education, mentorship, research, and data analysis.
Through CYCP, I learned how youth voices can influence local decision-making. Through my internship, I learned how important it is to support and develop future leaders. Through CYED, I learned how data can help communities better understand challenges and develop more effective solutions. Together, these experiences reinforced my interest in environmental systems, policy, and education.
As I begin college, I am excited to continue exploring how environmental policy, climate action, and education can work together to create lasting change. I hope to continue building bridges between students, educators, and decision-makers while helping communities become more environmentally sustainable and climate resilient.
I also plan to continue my connection with Ten Strands and will be supporting CYCP Cohort 4 as a youth mentor.
Q: What advice would you give to young and aspiring climate leaders?
A: One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that meaningful change begins with curiosity, so be willing to ask questions. It’s easy to become frustrated when progress feels slow, but understanding why systems work the way they do is often the first step toward improving them.
I would also encourage students to be authentic and bring their whole selves to their work. Some of the most successful moments in my advocacy journey came from building relationships, listening to different perspectives, and working collaboratively with others. Climate action is ultimately about people, and meaningful change happens when communities come together around a shared vision for the future.
Most importantly, don’t underestimate the impact you can have. You do not need to wait until you’re older or have all the answers. Young people have valuable perspectives, and your voice matters.
Learn more about Addie’s Changemaker journey here:
- CYCP Changemaker Stories – 2025 Story and Video
- Addie’s CYCP Cohort 2 Case Study (Jan 2025)
