The National 4-H Council announced Sept. 29 that Michaela Auyeung of Los Gatos, Calif., is a runner-up for the 2024 4-H Youth in Action Award.

Auyeung is recognized nationally for her commitment to providing access to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and improving mental and physical well-being for girls in her community.

Auyeung, 17, provides free coding classes and instruction to girls through her program, Girls Who Love to Code. Through partnerships with two school systems, Girls Who Love to Code has engaged more than 250 girls while seeking to close the opportunity and education gap for girls in STEM.

Auyeung also provided mental health workshops to aid students in addressing anxiety and created two school pantries to provide hygiene items, school supplies, and snacks to students in need.

A senior in high school, Auyeung plans to continue to advocate for gender and socioeconomic equality in education through her outreach and beyond.

The 4-H Youth in Action Awards began in 2010 to recognize 4-H'ers who have overcome challenges and used the knowledge they gained in 4-H to create a lasting impact in their community.

To learn more about the 4-H Youth in Action program and the 2024 runners-up, visit http://4-H.org/YouthInAction.

Source: University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources