YYGS was an enlightening experience where I felt connected to a vibrant community of talented members that values diverse voices. It motivated me to utilize the global ideas I learned and apply them in my own community.
Connecting with insightful students from around the world allowed me to gain diverse perspectives on social issues, including misinformation during the pandemic. As part of a simulation project, our team created a media literacy database to provide individuals with resources for factual information on COVID-19.
Inspired by our project, I decided to take this initiative into my community after the completion of YYGS. As the founder and president of The Combating Misinformation Lab, a media literacy club at my school in Northern Virginia, I invited experts such as Glenn Kessler of The Washington Post to educate students about the fact-checking process. I also jointly hosted events with other school clubs to dispel vaccine conspiracy theories. These initiatives are aimed at raising awareness about the use of media platforms and enabling students in distinguishing between unhinged conspiracy theories and factual stories in the media.