Hi from 2025 YLS Winners
Watch Our Student-Made Introduction Video!
Who Are We Looking For
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2025 YLS recap
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2026 YLS NYC
What to expect
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Keynote Speakers
Real-world Leaders
Platinum Award
Fruit Sharing
Gold Award
Flying Strings
Youth Ensemble
Silver Award
STEMpathy
Rising Star Award
SciConnect
Initiative
Keynote Speakers 2026
DJ Rock
Former Assistant Director of Admissions for Multicultural Recruitment,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MEd, Higher Education Administration,
Northeastern University
BS, Journalism, Boston University
Joel Butterly
Co-Founder and CEO,
InGenius Prep
JD, Yale
BA, Dartmouth
Natalia Ostrowski
Former Assistant Director of Admissions & Director of India,
University of Chicago
NGO/NPO Participants 2026
Speaker Stephanie Zabriskie is a global development strategist and systems leader who serves as Managing Director at Tavistock Group, where she leads large-scale international development initiatives involving governments, investors, and institutional partners. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of HUMANCULTURE, an Indigenous-led nonprofit supporting community-based initiatives across multiple regions, including Maasai Water Project in Tanzania and The Untold Story Exhibition at the World Trade Center.
Science Olympiad
Brother Nigel Pratt from New York Science Olympiad Board and Kellenberg High School on Long Island will join YLS 2026. Brother Nigel, in addition to being a teacher at Kellenberg, has a been a Science Olympiad coach, State Leader, National Event Supervisor, and one of National Professional Development Leaders.
Xinsheng Chinese Choir of New York
Featured Participants Chenchen Li is the founder and Artistic Director of the Xinsheng Chinese Choir of New York. Under her leadership, the choir has grown to over 450 cumulative members and has performed at prestigious international venues including the United Nations Headquarters in New York and Carnegie Hall, establishing itself as one of the most influential Chinese arts organizations in the city.
Founded by passionate educators and students in 2022, the Canada Youth Changemakers Summit (CYCS) has become one of Canada’s most influential youth leadership events. It brings together Canada’s brightest young leaders, educators, and entrepreneurs for our premier youth leadership event.
