By Dr. Mark A. Rafter, Editorial Director
Learning Tree Group Girl Strong Event (Picture by Marco)
In response to the United Nations global women’s initiative, Learning Tree Group successfully hosted the “Girl Strong Global Women’s Support Initiative (Girl Strong Action)” as a showcase event in Los Angeles. Centered on the theme of “Advancing Women’s Education and Equal Opportunities,” the event brought together youth leaders from across the Los Angeles area to raise awareness of the challenges faced by women—particularly in Africa—through public speaking, advocacy, and fundraising efforts.
Learning Tree Group Inc., headquartered in Irvine, California, was founded in 2022 as a college planning, education counseling, and test preparation firm. Services include academic counseling, tutoring, and application guidance. Learning Tree has assembled an outstanding team of expertise in education and is committed to empowering students through academic excellence, leadership development, and global engagement—preparing the next generation of socially responsible leaders. The organization has a proven track record in preparing and placing students at elite universities such as Harvard, Yale, Stanford, USC, Berkeley, and UCLA.
This event served as a showcase for the Learning Tree Group and featured 15 keynote student speakers, along with hundreds of participants in a “1-Minute Advocacy” segment. Students from more than ten high schools addressed key issues including inequality in education, gender disparities, and the role of youth in global change. It is rare to see young students so engaged with a passion for kid-to-kid exchange—not just standing and delivering speeches, but sending meaningful messages across borders and oceans to children in Africa. This event embodied that spirit and much more. These students demonstrated a powerful grasp of the inequities faced by women at nearly every level, particularly young girls in Africa, and showcased their ability to research and utilize technology tools through well-prepared presentations.
Students highlighted various inequities. Some drew from “talking points,” and while certain statements reflected one-sided political viewpoints, the overall balance returned to the central issue of inequality for girls. After one such speech, the young man sought me out and we engaged in direct dialogue. His willingness to discuss and desire to learn stood out and offered hope for this next generation.
In support of Learning Tree Group, certificates were presented to leaders and participating students by several distinguished guests, including a Congresswoman.
City of Walnut Mayor Alan Wu praised the students for their efforts while encouraging continued participation in local community service and opened the door to invite students to do community service in the City of Walnut. Additional attendees included community leaders, nonprofit representatives, and media professionals.
Dr. Mark A. Rafter gave a short speech stating, “Your education is your future. Change a child and you can change the world. Spring is here and learning is like the freshness of spring.”
Mary Yang presented a certificate representing the Asian-Pacific Youth Growth Program—Learning, Practice, Certification—associated with the United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organization.
It takes significant human effort to stage a showcase event, and LTG honored its volunteers with certificates of appreciation. One who was present could see the hard work ethic and enthusiasm in these women.
Charlie Liu sat down and tickled the ivories with a wonderful instrumental.
Wendy Weng, Founder of Learning Tree Group, delivered remarks praising the students’ outstanding performances and their commitment to empowering girls. She made a profound statement: “This is not just a transfer of knowledge, but a transformation of lives. It is about taking action, and it is a commitment.” Wendy has a passion for learning and imparting proper knowledge which is not only power by wisdom empower girls and women for generations to come. As we reflect on the legacy of the AVG Flying Tigers and the 80th anniversary of U.S.-China friendship, we are reminded that education and cultural exchange remain among the most powerful ways to carry that friendship forward.
Bob Ampe is a professional business man in real estate and associated enterprises and shared, “Volunteer work is shaping your future,” encouraging students to “take and share with 10 friends, and for those friends to share—making it go viral to hundreds and thousands.” Bob is a true cultural bridge and has a community karaoke club in Irvine and sang for the students in the after party.
Mark Fan offered strong and positive encouragement to the students. Mark was a light for the students.
Dr. Juake Ishikan, Global Human Capital Architect, Goodwill Ambassador, and President International, presented a letter conveying well wishes for Learning Tree Group and its students. A video presentation from Africa illustrated vivid realities, including deeply moving cultural and environmental conditions.
In addition to speeches, the program included piano, cello, and vocal performances, adding emotional depth and engagement to the event.
One student, Ivy Lu, delivered a speech that deeply resonated for me and many present. She spoke with sincerity and a unique passion rooted in genuine compassion. A brief excerpt reflects the power of her words:
“There is a woman somewhere in the world who will never know my name. But I can still fight for her. I can still talk for her. I can choose not to ignore her… Because one day, someone will stand where I am standing now… because we chose to care, because we chose to act, because we chose not to stay silent. That woman… will finally stand where I am standing now—with a voice of her own.”
Her message aligns closely with the recent 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) held in New York. Currently, women worldwide enjoy only about two-thirds of the legal rights of men—a reality that must change. Under the leadership of Founder Wendy Weng and her team, this event translated global themes into real action, as students demonstrated through their advocacy and engagement.
Another significant part of this initiative was that LTG and the students raised over $8,000 in its first phase, with proceeds supporting women’s education initiatives in Africa. Organizers emphasized that Girl Strong Action will continue as an ongoing global youth initiative. When one hears a speech like IVY LU gave and the efforts of fund raising by students one feels assured that LTG is empowering the next generation of leaders.
As Editorial Director for Newstodayworld.org on Google News, and as the Modern-Day Marco Polo, I am invited to many events. As an international professor with deep involvement in education, this event reinforced one essential truth: our children are our future. It is both encouraging and refreshing to see an organization actively guiding that future in such a meaningful way.
As the Modern-Day Marco Polo, I have traveled across continents and cultures, witnessing both the struggles and the triumphs of humanity. What I saw in this room was something powerful—young voices rising not in division, but in purpose; not in noise, but in meaning. These students are not waiting for the future—they are shaping it. Much like the great journeys of the past that built bridges between nations, these young leaders are building bridges of compassion, education, and understanding across oceans and generations. In their voices, there is hope. In their actions, there is change. And in their commitment, there is the promise of a better world—for girls, for communities, and for all of us.
If you would like more information, you can contact the Learning Tree Group:
Email: info@learningtreegroup.org
Phone: +1 (213) 556-8888
Website: www.learningtreegroup.org
