Graduate spotlight : Champlin Park grad giving back to the community by empowering youth in the Brooklyns
Chia Lee Xiong
WINTER 2024
Michigan that she developed a passion for public health and geography .
At the BBAY , Xiong is helping lead youth in the community with the mission of building systems of highquality , accessible , and fully resourced opportunities that address systemic disparities in graduation , pathways to college and career , and youth safety and wellbeing .
“ There are a lot of young people interested in helping their communities ,” Xiong said . “ There are so many things that are happening in our world that affect young people and our community , so we ’ re always looking at how we bring those pieces into a guided conversation so that we ’ re hearing their voices , but we ’ re also presenting them with facts and resources .”
As someone who grew up in and has deep roots in the Brooklyns , Xiong hopes to continue using her skillset to impact and empower youth in the community . n
Non-Profit Org . U . S . Postage PAID Anoka , Minnesota Permit No . 40
NEPIN SCHOOL BOARD
Zach Arco District 2 : Blaine , eastern Coon Rapids 763-433-4150
ichelle Langenfeld District 5 : ooklyn Center , Brooklyn Park , south / southern Coon Rapids , Fridley 763-433-4151
fficials are listed here by the ol District for informational purposes only . ns not assigned at time of printing .
intendent – Cory McIntyre 2 – Cory . McIntyre @ ahschools . us
ucational and employment opportunities for all persons within its ility , status with regard to public assistance , sexual orientation , age ,
mmunity members ) with disabilities so they can participate in the their building principal if they have a disability requiring special tion , program or meeting . Students who are disabled consistent with cation , regardless of the severity of their handicap .
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te or ballot question .
Kacy Deschene District 3 : Champlin , southwestern Coon Rapids , Dayton 763-506-7743
Jeff Simon District 6 : southwestern Andover , northern Coon Rapids 763-506-7742
She didn ’ t travel the path she thought she would , but 2009 Champlin Park High School ( CPHS ) graduate Chia Lee Xiong is where she is meant to be . After a stop at Three Rivers Park District doing community outreach work , Xiong is a data , evaluation and youth participatory action research coordinator at the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance for Youth ( BBAY ).
At BBAY she is part of a team that shares a vision of contributing to each young person thriving , particularly those who have been historically marginalized , by challenging inequities and creating conditions that build hope .
Born in California , Xiong ’ s family moved to Minnesota in the mid-1990s and she began school in Anoka-Hennepin in third grade at Evergreen Park Elementary . She then attended Jackson Middle School - A Specialty School for Math and Science where she developed a love for science after taking an elective health class .
“ I had a good friend in that class and we spent a lot of time in the computer lab researching different illnesses and diseases , and that sort of spearheaded my interest in health ,” Xiong said .
As she moved on to high school , her passion for science grew while taking extra biology and chemistry classes . At CPHS , Xiong participated in the Upward Bound college readiness program for first-generation post-secondary students through Anoka-Ramsey Community College , which helps students explore areas of interest , and set up college tours through a one-on-one mentorship with an advisor .
“ I didn ’ t know much about colleges in the area and that visit through the program inspired me to go to the University of St . Thomas and stay local when going to college ,” Xiong said . “ It was a nice space for me to meet other high school students who didn ’ t go to my school and it helped me create a great network of people that I am still connected with to this day .”
She had planned on moving on to college in the hard sciences , possibly setting herself up for a career in medicine , but it was in graduate school at the University of