After spending the first 12 years of her life in the states, Ryan and her family moved overseas, leaving behind everything she knew. Living in Europe and later Asia, Ryan experienced firsthand what she’d learned in history books and embrace cultures she’d previously only seen in movies. The opportunity to see the world helped her realize looking wasn’t enough. She also had to give back.

The Youth Center also ignited a passion in Ryan for working with kids, including serving as a mentor for the 4H Spanish Club, where she taught activities focused on Spanish language and culture to elementary school students.

When she moved to Singapore, Ryan became active in her Youth Center. She was elected vice president of the teen leadership program Keystone Club and also serves as a volunteer coordinator. She and her Keystone peers give back both within and outside the military community, including volunteering at local events and hosting a book drive that resulted in 1,000 children’s books being donated to a school in Thailand.  The high school senior plans to study photojournalism at New York University.