Jaemy Q.C. – Youth of the Year Candidate
Jaemy is a 17-year-old high school senior from New York. She decided to participate in the Youth of the Year competition to use her voice and remind others that their voice matters too.
Family and friends would describe Jaemy as kind, positive, and smart. She is deeply passionate about kindness, equality, and her faith, values that guide her both inside and outside of the classroom. Her favorite subject is math—though challenging at times, she finds joy in problem-solving and is especially excited about taking college-level math while still in high school, as it marks the start of her college journey.
Jaemy’s long-term goals include graduating from college and becoming an ultrasound technician. She also looks forward to becoming a homeowner one day. Inspired daily by her mother’s independence, confidence, and strength, Jaemy strives to follow in her footsteps. She proudly embraces her Guatemalan and Ecuadorian heritage, something most people don’t know about her.
In her free time, Jaemy enjoys drawing, spending quality time with her family, and watching Gilmore Girls. She also loves movies like 27 Dresses, Real Steel, and the Fast & Furious series. Her favorite artists include Junior H. and Giveon, and her go-to snacks are Dunkin’ iced coffee, sour gummies, and Kit Kats. If given the chance to travel anywhere in the world, she would visit Greece and Paris, places she admires for their beauty.
A motto she lives by is, “Delayed is not denied” and “Rejection is redirection.” Her advice to other teens is to never let the opinions of others dictate how you live, because it is your life.