19-year-old Celina Poon helps 300+ youths engage in civic life through arts and community projects

Celina Poon spent her early childhood in Boston without learning much about local government or how to get involved in her community. Growing up in an immigrant family, she often saw public institutions as distant and difficult to understand. She only learned about civic education later in her youth. That experience inspired the 19-year-old student to help other young people in her hometown become more involved in their communities. As an intern with the Commonwealth Seminar, a Massachusetts organization that works to make public life more accessible, Poon led projects that helped more than 300 young people learn about local government and community action. Her efforts earned national recognition from Youth Service America, which named her an Everyday Young Hero in October 2026. The award recognizes young leaders across the United States who use volunteer work and community service to address local needs.Opening doors for young citizensThe Commonwealth Seminar works to make state and local government easier to understand, especially for communities that have often been left out of public discussions. When Poon joined the organization as an intern, she became responsible for plannin...