Lick-Wilmerding senior Julia H. '26 is anchoring a centuries-old tradition in the hearts of San Francisco youth—with a little help from LWHS.

Her project, Jing Shao Nian (京少年)​​​​​​, recently received a Spring 2026 HHH Fund grant to further its mission of introducing kids and teens to the artistry of Peking and Cantonese opera. By teaching both cultural history and performing arts, the project helps young people find pride in their heritage. The HHH Fund grant provides a vital boost for an initiative that has grown from a personal passion into a city-wide movement.

For Julia, Chinese opera is a bridge to her roots. "I really grew up with Chinese opera," she shares. "I would watch it with my grandparents... it was always a great way to connect with them." However, after noticing a rise in anti-Chinese or anti-Asian sentiment, Julia imagined Jing Shao Nian (京少年)​​​​​​ as a vehicle to combat cultural misunderstanding through education and engagement.

Now in its third year, Jing Shao Nian (京少年) is a thriving program where students learn the art form and share it with others. To date, over 1,000 students have participated in workshops and intensive six-month programs. The curriculum, Julia explains, goes far beyond the music: "It's not just the singing; it’s also stage movement and martial arts. It's actually very intense and very exciting."

The project’s intergenerational impact is profound. Julia recalls a performance at a senior center where an audience member was moved to tears: "She told me she hadn't heard these songs since she was a little girl in Guangzhou. It was really moving for her to watch these little kids performing."

This work recently earned Julia much deserved recognition as the recipient of the 2026 AAPI Youth Change Maker Award from the City and County of San Francisco, shining a light on her passion for using opera to challenge stereotypes and foster respect. She was also a finalist for the 2026 Princeton Prize in Race Relations. By building such a meaningful initiative with her head, heart, and hands, Julia exemplifies the LWHS mission of empowering students to contribute to the world with confidence and compassion.

When asked what advice she would give to students who want to champion racial equity, Julia suggests starting with what you know. "I think the most important thing is to do something related to the communities you're part of," she advises. Beyond identifying local needs, she emphasizes the power of being present: "The biggest thing with starting any initiative is really just to go around and talk to people—show up to different events and network as much as possible." Ultimately, she encourages students to trust the value of their own vantage point. "Because you are young, you have something unique. You see things from a perspective that an adult can never really see."