Meet Our 2026 Summer Program Storytellers Inspiring AANHPI Youth in Denver
Each summer, Asian Girls Ignite (AGI) brings together middle school students across Colorado for a transformative week of identity exploration, creative expression, and joyful community building. What truly sets our program apart are the storytellers—an intergenerational group of Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) women and gender-expansive change-makers in Denver who ground each day’s theme in lived experience.
In alignment with our 2026 theme, Rooted in Joy, our storytellers guide students to embrace joy as an everyday practice. From artists and herbalists to audio engineers and AGI high school camp guides, these storytellers reflect the vibrancy of our community. They use storytelling to build bridges—honoring where we’ve been and inspiring who we are becoming.
Before the first journal page is filled or the first friendship clicks into place, these are the people already holding space for your child.
The Daily Journey: Exploring the Lenses of Joy
From July 13–17, 2026 at the Denver Botanic Gardens, students will navigate the week alongside these incredible storytellers:
Day 1: Joy & Connection | Led by our High School Camp Guides
Our High School Camp Guides—Naiya K. (she/her), Elise Y. (she/her), Reina K. (she/her), Eleanor F. (she/they), Emmy J. (she/her), and Jane E. (she/her)—lead the first conversations on how joy connects us to ourselves and each other through honesty and shared experience.
Day 2: Joy & Creativity | Madalyn Drewno & Hue Helen Nguyen
Madalyn Drewno (she/her), an Artist, Inquirer, and Advocate, and Huệ Helen Nguyễn (she/her), a Caregiver of Plants and People, guide students in holding complex emotions like grief and joy together through creative expression.
Day 3: Joy & Celebration | Yu Ning Chan
Yu Ning Chan (she/they), a Small Business Owner and Advocate, helps students notice, capture, and honor moments of joy in both big milestones and quiet, small moments.
Day 4: Joy & Curiosity | Alex Tran & Christine Young
Alex Tran (she/her), an Audio Engineer and Diviner, and Christine Young (she/her), a Cultural shop owner and herbalist, guide students to trust their intuition and stay present in their own unique voices.
Meet The Storytellers
On Monday, we are hearing from our High School Camp Guides
Naiya K. (she/her)
What race and/or ethnicities do you identify with?
Thai American
Additional Identities:
Athlete, coach, older cousin
How do you root yourself in joy?
I enjoy dancing, reading, and baking in my free time. I also enjoy going to the mall, getting food, and hanging out with my friends
Dishes that remind you of home?
Mango sticky rice, lard nar(lat na)
Elise Y. (she/her)
What race and/or ethnicities do you identify with?
Chinese, Taiwanese, American
Additional Identities:
Athlete, older sibling, mentor/coach for younger kids
How do you root yourself in joy?
Playing tennis and being at my tennis club, doing anything with my friends, spending time helping little kids learn and develop a love for the things they like to do
Dishes that remind you of home?
Beef noodle soup, any type of noodle soup, boba, Korean tofu soup, hot pot
Reina K. (she/her)
What race and/or ethnicities do you identify with?
Chinese, Korean, American
Additional Identities:
Older sister, dog owner, artist
How do you root yourself in joy?
Drawing, reading, listening to music, playing tennis, and hanging out with friends and family
Dishes that remind you of home?
Mr. Tang (especially its seolleongtang), xiao long bao
Eleanor F. (she/they)
What race and/or ethnicities do you identify with?
Indian American
Additional Identities:
Athlete, Leader, Artist
How do you root yourself in joy?
Needle work/painting/anything art related, slow mornings with my family, hanging out with my friends or family
Dishes that remind you of home?
Mac n cheese and pierogies. My family has a lot of traditions surrounding food so any of these make me feel at home
Emmy J. (she/her)
What race and/or ethnicities do you identify with?Korean/Caucasian American
Additional Identities:
Athlete, artist, younger sibling
How do you root yourself in joy?
- Dive
- Theatre
- Hanging out with friends and family
- Bowling
Dishes that remind you of home?
Any Korean food, Vietnamese food (there’s this really good place called Dan Da), and really any common AGI meals.
Jane E. (she/her)
What race and/or ethnicities do you identify with?Filipino 🇵🇭, Chinese 🇨🇳, and American!
Additional Identities:
Sister, friend, and nature lover!
How do you root yourself in joy?
Doing hair and makeup for my school theatre, reading while cuddling with my dog, and playing and learning instruments!
Dishes that remind you of home?
I love all food(mostly)! Chinese desserts warm my heart and feel like home to me. The best Banh mi in Denver are from Vinh Xuong in my opinion. I also loveee fun sweet drinks(like Thai tea, fruit bubble teas, soda, etc)
On Tuesday, we are hearing from Madalyn Drewno and Hue Helen Nguyen
Madalyn Drewno (she/her)
Artist, Inquirer, and Advocate
What race and/or ethnicities do you identify with?
Chinese American, Asian American
Additional Identities:
Transracial/transnational adoptee, illustrator
What are some things that bring you joy?
Drag, swimming, karaoke
How do you feel inspired by, aligned with, or drawn to the mission of Asian Girls Ignite?
I feel inspired by AGI's values of courage, curiosity, and connection. I feel aligned with AGI's goals of creating space for Asian youth to connect to each other and with Asian community members. I am excited to continue cultivating honest conversations and embodying authenticity through art, creativity, and storytelling.
Hue Helen Nguyen (she/her)
Caregiver of Plants and People
What race and/or ethnicities do you identify with?:
Southeast Asian/Vietnamese
Additional Identities:
Daughter of immigrants, abolitionist, dreamer
What are some things that bring you joy?
Time with loved ones, being with the Land, and good food!
How do you feel inspired by, aligned with, or drawn to the mission of Asian Girls Ignite?
I love the space that AGI creates for AANHPI youth to be seen and heard!
On Wednesday, we are hearing from Yu Ning Chan
Yu Ning Chan (she/they)
Small Business Owner
What race and/or ethnicities do you identify with?
Asian– Chinese
Additional Identities:
Woman, queer, first generation American
What are some things that bring you joy?
Art, activism, my friends
How do you feel inspired by, aligned with, or drawn to the mission of Asian Girls Ignite?
I am incredibly inspired by what AGI has created. I appreciate the safe space y'all have created for the kids. This is a community that was (noticeably) lacking in my upbringing.
On Thursday, we are hearing from Alex Tran and Christine Young
Alex Tran (she/her)
Audio Engineer and Diviner
What race and/or ethnicities do you identify with?
Vietnamese
Additional Identities:
First generation American, spiritual practitioner, and audio engineer
What are some things that bring you joy?
Making music and working with my clients at the studio, doing tea leaf readings and working with the magic of the universe, and eating good food
How do you feel inspired by, aligned with, or drawn to the mission of Asian Girls Ignite?
As an Asian American woman who grew up feeling shame and fear around my race, I'm excited to be able to uplift young Asian girls in living their full authenticity and appreciating their culture!
Christine Young (she/her)
Cultural Shop Owner and Herbalist
What race and/or ethnicities do you identify with?
Korean American/Biracial
Additional Identities:
Mother, Nature lover, Herbalist
What are some things that bring you joy?
Art, Writing, Nature
How do you feel inspired by, aligned with, or drawn to the mission of Asian Girls Ignite?
Asian Girls Ignite is exactly what I wish I had when I was growing up, it's really inspiring to know that there's a program where storytellers can connect with youth to inspire and offer a point of view that might be helpful for them. A place for them to gather, socialize and be validated in their own unique identity and experiences.
