The ambitions of Luke Chung center on changing people’s lives and creating a better world. As he begins college in the fall at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, his progress toward his goals continues the accomplishments forged in elementary and high school.  Chung explains that he will gain skills at West Point to make important decisions in contentious regions of the world.  “I felt I belonged there”, he says, by virtue of his steadfast dedication to service.   

“My background has afforded me a deeper appreciation for the opportunities and freedoms you can’t find anyplace else”, explains Chung.  “I wanted to go to West Point to defend opportunities that my life is evidence of.”  Chung describes being a product of military action, as his father immigrated to America from war-torn Vietnam, and his mother from Korea.  Consequently, Chung considers his parents the biggest influence on who he is today.  They are role models of hard work, genuinely good people, and strong examples of pro-activism. 

Starting in grade school, Chung has taken caring action.  He began fundraising for clean global water at age 7 by running races.  To date, he has raised over $30,000.  “I’ve seen that change doesn’t just require experts who do it all, but seven-year-olds bold enough to step up and do what they can.”   

At the age of 8, Chung began corresponding with Eric, a boy living in a mud hut in rural Rwanda.  Along with issues related to genocide and poverty, Eric and his family struggled daily with the global water crisis.  “Since then”, says Chung, “I’ve been drawn to international affairs and economic development.” 

When he was 11, Chung climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa, with the purpose of fundraising for clean water.  “All I wanted was an excuse to give up”, says Chung about the climb, but he persevered and learned powerful lessons about himself and his ability to accomplish what he sets out to do.  

As president of the Pine Creek High School debate team, Chung has found an opportunity to use his skills in a leadership role, to compete, and to mentor younger students.  For the past 3 years, he has served as president of his school’s Model UN and has gone on to the international stage, participating in a Model UN conference in Istanbul, Turkey.  He found himself conflicted by brewing political tension vs. peace.  He describes “…the beauty of Model UN is that it lies within this gap between the real and the ideal.  It exists because its students are united in the belief that the change they pursue is possible…” 

As a member of World Vision Next Gen, a community of high school- and college-age leaders fighting global poverty, Chung has been part of major fundraising campaigns that raised $1 million for famine relief in Somalia.  “In the future, I’ll study international relations and economics, which form the backbone of policy-making, to continue advocating for the most vulnerable communities across the world.” 

Chung says he will likely major in War Studies at West Point.  He explains that he loves history, international relations, and the study of war as a science.  His passion for debate and participation in Model UN intersect with his desire to deliberate on significant issues and represent the United States on the international stage.   

Stephanie Cornelio, Chung’s College Career Counselor, highlights his multitude of attributes.  “His ability to fundraise and support the mission of World Vision Next Gen is indeed remarkable!”  Student Council, Model UN, Speech and Debate, and mentoring his peers are all areas where Chung excels, she continues.  “Luke is a genuinely great person…and he makes our world a better place because of his benevolent commitment to serving others.”