Chloe Jeong is president of the Interact Club at McLean High School. This is a service club sponsored by the local McLean Rotary (part of Rotary International). The motto of the Interact Club is Service Above Self, and is guided by the four-way test of Rotary International. As president, Chloe has helped to conceive, plan and execute projects that turn this motto into a reality serving the community and supporting global causes.

This year, the club has focused on endangered species, and especially elephants in Laos. To help raise funds and increase community awareness, the Interact Club participated in the Annual Holiday Bazaar in McLean. This included a bake sale, and creative activities for children. Chloe said, “I want to show people about the club’s main motto of giving and serving others more than taking. Spreading the message of charity and goodwill can inspire other people to also be of service.”

Hope in the Midst of Our Plight
2024 Award Winner
Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest

In addition to her role in the Interact Club, Chloe has demonstrated her commitment in other ways. For example, she has advocated for marine conservation and pollution prevention through her art, and has won recognition in the Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest as well as in the Science Without Borders Challenge. Both of these are international contests to explore ocean conservation issues through art. Her art emphasizes how humans can interact with nature in an ecologically balanced way and without excessive exploitation.

Discovering the Undiscovered
2024 Honorable Mention
Science Without Borders Challenge

Chloe is a cellist in the McLean HS Orchestra, and she uses her talent to help younger students just starting out. She spoke of the satisfaction she experiences when the “light goes on,” and a student starts to make real music with this difficult instrument. Chloe also enjoys mathematics, and she puts this talent to use by helping other students at McLean HS overcome conceptual obstacles.

In addition, Chloe participates in the Student Leadership program sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. One aspect of this program allows students to have direct access to members of the Virginia State assemblies. They present ideas and advocate for funding and legislation to reduce pollution and provide effective response to dangers from climate change. Chloe said, “I aspire to spread leadership and respect across today’s youth to develop peace, collaboration, and environmental advocacy.”