#2BFayetteville

Christine was born in Little Rock but moved to Malaysia with her family when she was a year old. When she was 12 the family moved to California and then moved back to Arkansas when she was 14. She has lived in Fayetteville ever since. Christine attended Fayetteville High School and the University of Arkansas where she grad- uated summa cum laude with a BSBA in Supply Chain Management and a BSIB in International Business Management. Currently, Christine is the Chief Operations Officer for a Fayetteville software startup, SupplyPike, where she launched her career after graduating from the University of Arkansas in 2013. "I think Fayetteville is the perfect place to live for people in any walk of life," Christine said. "From grad- uating college students, to young families, even retir- ees, there is something for everyone in Fayetteville. We have great schools, teach- ers, University programs, food, art, talent, culture – the list goes on. I also really appreciate that the lifestyle here isn't as aggressively fast-paced and competitive as bigger cities like Los An- geles. It's big enough where there are opportunities to start and grow your career, but still small enough where it really feels like you have a community that will support and back you." Fayetteville's openness to different cultures has been extremely important to Christine and her family. "Personally, being an Asian American living in a predominantly white city in a Republican state, it has always been important to me to preserve and educate others about my culture, as well as bring a diverse opinion to conversations," she said. "In my 12 years living here, my family and I have always felt welcome and have never once been marginalized because of the color of our skin." The Teen Leadership Experience was invaluable to Christine's growth as a young woman looking to enter the business world. "It was most beneficial to participate in the program, especially at such a young age," she said. "To be ex- posed to so many different industries that we will likely never have the chance to see again was great. As a high schooler to get this type of one-on-one time with the business leaders in Fayetteville was extraordi- nary. It helped play a big role in solidifying what I wanted to pursue." Celia was born and raised in Fayetteville. She graduated in May 2020 from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. She is currently working at Ozark Literacy Council as an Americorps Mem- ber, teaching English to immigrants in Northwest Arkansas. She is hoping to attend Law School next year at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville. "I think Fayetteville is the perfect definition of work and play," Celia began. "While there are so many amazing job oppor- tunities in this area, there are also many ways to enjoy this space outside of work. There are great restaurants, music venues, walking trails and museums just a few miles from downtown. We hold vibrant festivals, and parades that show off Fayetteville's character. There is something to do for every person, every age." Earning her degree out of state helped Celia appreciate her hometown all the more. "I had the best experience growing up in Fayetteville," she explained. "During my years away at school, I realized how amazing this area really is and everything it has to offer. I could not imagine not wanting to start a life here after being away for even just four years. I would recommend living in Fayetteville to anyone who is not only looking for a nice place to live, but a place they can really get involved in the community and make their permanent home." Celia also believes Fay- etteville is a great launch- ing pad for discovering new opportunities. "Fayetteville runs on small business- es," she said. "Anyone can discover a new opportunity for themselves here. There is so much this community offers to all different walks of life." The Teen Leadership Experience provided Celia the chance to get a closer look at the city she had grown up in. "My favorite aspect was seeing the inside workings of all the places we visited," Celia said. "We got to see a case present- ed at the courthouse, we saw how baby chicks are raised on land in town, and we saw how elementary schools in Fayetteville are teaching young students how to become leaders in classrooms and in the com- munity. From my experi- ence with Teen Leadership, I can see how this area has so many opportunities for young adults to start their careers here." Christine Tan Teen Leadership 'X'perience Celia Johnson Teen Leadership 'X'perience 14

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