Testimonials

As a business owner, philanthropist, author, international speaker, and global community developer, I know firsthand the importance of discovering, recruiting, and maintaining adequate support. Of course, those of us in leadership prefer superior talent—those amazing wonders of the world—to help make our load a little lighter. But it is not always easy to find those coveted diamonds in the rough. 

In most cases, it’s a hit or miss. Then there are times we tend to roll the dice on certain individuals we may have a gut feeling about. And, perhaps more often than not, we end up with more misses than hits.

Then one day, that one someone walks through our doors and not only meets our needs, exceeds our goals, and totally owns our objectives, but they truly evolve our mission in ways we never even knew we needed.

That one someone is meticulously and emphatically personified in Ms. Serena Young. Serena does not only show an array of talent, but she’s also amazing creative, a critical thinker, and one of the most responsible people I’ve personally ever encountered. There’s no wonder why Tony Robbins’ team chose her as one of the youngest crew members in his famed Unleash the Power Within conferences. 

They, like me, discovered that Serena is that one-size-fits-all team player that can help take a business or event from where it is to where it’s destined to be. She not only personifies rare qualities, but she is the very epitome of dedicated work, consistency, and loyalty. To top it off, she embodies the essence of being kind and pleasant and displays a no-quit until it’s done attitude.

If the quest for high performance is found at the root of purpose, then it is Ms. Serena Young who helps make any mission its consummated fulfillment.

For the past three decades, I’ve taught creative writing to seniors capable of so much depth. To spice it up, I volunteered with reluctant teens at the local youth emergency shelter. That was a tough gig. I reluctantly agreed to meet one more teen as a favour for one of my author clients.

 Serena Young ended any lingering perceptions of teens being reluctant or unable to consistently reach a depth of thought. I found a deep curiosity in her phrasing, thought construction, and poems. Then I heard even more of her prose. I extended our time together to continue listening. Her ability to convey settings, tone, and point of view are all far beyond her years spent on this planet. I found it challenging to find and offer ways she could improve her writing, and when I did, she was open and eager to learn.

 I am not the only one who leaves her presence, questioning how old is she really. Shortly after our session, I joined an international writing group. Serena was a regular attendee and consistently had other women writers go oooh and aaah over the thoughts she portrays in prose. She brings home the truth: the political is the personal, and the personal is the political. Anyone who has spent time in high schools knows it is a challenging, power-driven landscape to navigate. Her skill to include just enough of her inner thought process provides a solid foundation to introduce a broader context that casts a wide net to entertain, educate, and appeal to a broad audience spectrum.

As a potential student at your university, she will most definitely continue to challenge herself, broaden her horizons even further, and be a leader in thought and action wherever she lands for her higher education.

I am writing this letter to offer my highest recommendation for Serena Young. I have had the privilege of working closely with Serena from August 2022 to June 2023, during which time she served as a volunteer peer coach at Maccabee Coaching.

Serena has an exceptionally lively and positive personality, which has proven to be a great asset in her role as a peer coach. Her innate ability to quickly build rapport with teenagers in need of mental support and coaching is outstanding. She creates an environment where open dialogue and constructive feedback are not only welcomed but actively encouraged.

Furthermore, Serena is always thoroughly prepared for her coaching sessions. She goes above and beyond in researching and asking questions about the individuals she is going to work with, tailoring her coaching methods to provide targeted and effective support. This meticulous attention to detail ensures that each session is as beneficial as possible for the teenagers involved.

What sets Serena apart, even more, is her extraordinary level of proactivity and professionalism—qualities that I have often found to be more developed in her than in some college graduates I have hired. During periods when our team was swamped with other responsibilities, she would consistently step in to offer her assistance, identifying issues and proposing solutions even before they became problems. Her regular updates on her progress further illustrate her sense of responsibility and commitment to our mission.

In summary, Serena Young is an exceptionally capable young woman with a blend of positivity, proactiveness, and advanced problem-solving skills that make her a valuable asset to any team or institution. She would undoubtedly be an outstanding addition to your organization, school, or program.

I have known Serena through a writing club that she co-hosted in 2020. During the COVID-19 lockdown, Serena created this wonderful platform that gathered brilliant ladies in a weekly meeting to encourage self-expression through creative writing. As I got to know her more through the club, I was deeply impressed by Serena’s wisdom, talents, and vision. Up until this day, Serena is still actively hosting the writing club, and it doesn’t end there.

In the summer of 2023, she co-hosted a summer camp for young ladies in Mainland China with the aim of encouraging and empowering women. Serena has always aspired to be a global leader, and I’m so happy to see her evolving into one as she demonstrates her leadership by encouraging everyone around her to shine authentically.

Since 2022, Serena and I have met on weekly calls with the goal to co-elevate and keep growing in various aspects of life. During these calls, I got to know Serena beyond the “perfect straight-A student,” but as a brilliant lady who has challenges like us all and chooses to walk her path with great awareness. Serena has shared with me some life challenges faced by many teenagers of her age, such as those regarding body image, interactions with peers, and pressure to excel academically. Every time, I would see her take in the problems and find ways to move beyond them gracefully, building her inner strength and wisdom in the journey.

As a friend who is years older than her, I wish I had such skills back when I was her age. Serena’s continuous dedication to bringing forth the best version of herself in the world is the one thing that I absolutely love about her. It is a great pleasure to know such an amazing human being, and I can’t wait for the world to see what Serena has to share!

My impression of this young lady is that she is truly astounding. She has shown and taught me that it is not the age but the spirit that determines our growth and ultimate impact. Serena embraces new opportunities for learning. Our discussions revealed how she is constantly curious to come to her own conclusions and is confident enough in herself not to ambivalently acquiesce to the conventional/communal perspective.

Over the 3 years I have known her, she has inspired me to be a firm believer in myself and not be afraid to try new things, to be the “you” you came here to be, unedited and unapologetically. I will never forget our first Athena Sisterhood Online Summit. Serena was to speak to an international audience of over 300 ladies. She was part of a line-up of strong and accomplished women, individual thinkers, and public speakers. At just 14, at the time, she did not shrink or seem intimidated by age or accomplishment. Instead, she shared her important message and perspective. I was impressed to learn that the ladies attending the summit also invited their daughters to listen in when Serena was speaking. I couldn’t have been more impressed or proud of this young lady and the response she received.

 In the Athena Sisterhood Writing Club, her writings were the highlight of our group. A deep thinker, strong self-awareness, confident, profoundly articulate, and creative. I found myself not only captivated but also inspired. I am just one, but I think I can speak for many in that group when I say that Serena’s writing is meant for books, her wisdom is meant for teaching, and her charisma and fierceness are meant for leading.

Now to see her teaching and leading in the Athena Youth Academy and conducting youth leadership camps in and around China is such a natural direction for her as she continues to grow, rise up, and further develop into her greatness.

I am writing to provide a testimonial for Serena Young, a remarkable individual whose qualities and potential I have had the privilege to witness since May 2020. I have no doubt that Serena will bring immense value and inspiration to your college community.

What sets Serena apart is not just her immense talent but her unwavering determination to excel in every endeavor she pursues. Serena approaches every task with a focused mindset and an unparalleled work ethic. She is relentless in her pursuit of knowledge and growth, constantly pushing herself beyond her comfort zone to achieve excellence. Serena’s commitment to personal and academic development is nothing short of inspiring.

Moreover, Serena possesses a remarkable outlook on life that radiates positivity and optimism. Her infectious enthusiasm and zest for life have a transformative effect on those around her. Serena’s ability to maintain this positive attitude, even in the face of challenges, is a testament to her resilience and inner strength. She is a beacon of hope and motivation for all who have the privilege of knowing her.

I must also highlight Serena’s remarkable ability to bridge generational gaps effortlessly. Despite our significant age difference, Serena and I quickly formed a deep and meaningful friendship. She possesses a rare maturity and wisdom beyond her years, making her a cherished friend and confidante to people of all ages.

In closing, I wholeheartedly endorse Serena Young as an exceptional candidate for your college. Her talent as a writer, unwavering determination, and incredible outlook on life make her an outstanding addition to any academic community. Serena is not only a source of inspiration but also a force for positive change. I have the utmost confidence that she will thrive and contribute significantly to your institution.

I am writing to provide an enthusiastic testimonial for Serena Young, a remarkable student I had the privilege of teaching in computer science and robotics. I have been an educator for 20 years, and seldom have I encountered a student whose dedication, focus, and performance match Serena’s.

In a sea of talented students, what sets Serena apart is a unique blend of intellectual curiosity, unwavering determination, and infectious optimism. Robotics and computer science challenge students in ways that are different from their traditional academic coursework, and as a result, it is quite common to see students struggle to remain positive in the face of adversity. This was never the case for Serena. No matter how difficult the challenge, she never wavered and remained optimistic and determined to see it through.

Being determined is one thing, but remaining curious even after a project, challenge, or assignment has been completed is another. Too many students work for the sake of working, and when the work is done, so are their thoughts. On many occasions, the end of a project or challenge was just the beginning for Serena. She would consistently inquire about concepts or content that extended beyond, sometimes far beyond, what we had covered in class. I don’t believe I ever saw Serena feel like she was “done.” There was always more to learn, more to do, and more to explore.

What was most impressive was the way Serena’s focus and engagement became contagious within the classroom. Her dedication to her studies was not confined to individual accomplishments but had a ripple effect on her peers. She led by example, demonstrating through her actions that excellence was attainable through hard work and a genuine love for the subject matter.

Serena was a natural leader who fostered an atmosphere of camaraderie and mutual support among her classmates. Other students couldn’t help but be lifted by her efforts, and this collaborative spirit enriched the learning experience for everyone involved. Serena created a community of learners where the exchange of ideas and the pursuit of knowledge were paramount.

I wholeheartedly recommend Serena Young for any academic or professional pursuit she chooses to undertake. Her passion, leadership, and commitment are qualities that are not only rare but also invaluable in today’s world.

I have had the honor to meet, interview, and volunteer with Serena. An exceptional soul in service of others and a driver of self-leadership.

Originally, I had the opportunity to meet Serena through an interview I conducted with her and her mom on Conscious Leadership. We talked about the importance of actively pursuing one’s own guidance. Consciously leading ourselves through progress and not letting learnings be a reactive growth process. Serena displayed and shared her maturity and hunger for growth in this space. Her pursuit of a conscious existence.

My second encounter was volunteering with her during an entrepreneurial personal development conference. She selflessly gave of her time and energy to aid business leaders and creators in refining their listening to their inner voice towards making better choices for themselves, their businesses, and their families. She assisted them in facing their fears while she faced her own through workshops.

Serena is a bright young mind with such a great capacity for compassion and growth. She’s an asset to any group. A primary talent for any team. An ideal member of any community. To gain her, your community is a win for all.