For Joysty Ng, getting outside of her comfort zone is now the mission. As a junior at Lindbergh High School in Seattle, she’s already discovered that some of the biggest moments happen when you take a chance on something new, and Summer Search has helped her do exactly that.
Joysty is very involved in her school community. She serves as a Link Crew leader, is a member of the National Honor Society, and plays on the girls’ basketball team. Throughout her Summer Search and high school journey so far, Joysty has found support and encouragement through her mentor, Trisha Paulino. Their relationship that has helped shape how she sees herself and her future:
“Meeting Trisha my sophomore year and getting matched with her to be my mentor throughout sophomore and junior year has helped me see multiple perspectives. Trisha is not only my mentor, she is my motivator and inspiration to grow into the person I want to be and reach for the stars.”
Last summer, Joysty had the chance to embark on a seven-day backpacking trip through Olympic National Park with Big City Mountaineers. At first, the idea of hiking more than 20 miles and climbing thousands of feet in elevation sounded intimidating. But she found that her peers kept her motivated. Along the trail, surrounded by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and new lifelong friends, Joysty found a new perspective:
Joysty on her sophomore summer experience trip in Olympic National Park
“Walking for hours on a trail full of rocks and dirt seemed boring and tiring at first, but all that washed away once I lifted my head up to experience the beauty of nature alongside the peers I got to grow very close to.”
This summer, Joysty is preparing for another life-changing experience: traveling to Costa Rica for ocean conservation and sea turtle research.
“In July 2026, I’ll be heading to Costa Rica for ocean conservation and sea turtle research. I believe that going on an international trip is a dream of many Summer Searchers and I am extremely grateful to have this opportunity.”
The trip will give Joysty the chance to learn firsthand about marine ecosystems while immersing herself in a completely new environment and culture. As someone who thrives on discovery, she is brimming with excitement for this new adventure.
As Joysty prepares to head to Costa Rica this summer, she carries with her the confidence and community that her Summer Search mentors and peers have helped her find. Summer Search gives exceptional young people like Joysty the chance to connect the dots between what they are capable of, what the world holds for them, and the people they can lean on for support and guidance along the way.