Meet the Team
Polly Lee
Co-Founder & Co-Editor-in-Chief
Polly Lee is currently a senior studying at the Western Academy of Beijing. Inspired by her passion for social change, she founded Utopix Magazine to highlight both the local changemakers of her community and pressing global concerns. Polly's writing has earned recognition from publications like the New York Times and the John Locke Institute. In her free time, she enjoys photography, dancing, and baking. As the co-leader and editor-in-chief of Utopix Magazine, she aims to inspire positive change within her community and beyond by magnifying the voices and perspectives of today's youth.
Jennifer Wang
Co-Founder & Co-Editor-in-Chief
Jennifer, a senior at Western Academy of Beijing, has an interest in journalism and literature, and a passion for creativity. At just 16, she implements her creativity into a social media account on China’s douyin platform with a 40,000+ following to bring light to social issues prominent in the society in which she currently resides. Serving as the co-leader and editor in chief of Utopix magazine, Jennifer is dedicated to encapsulating the talent in her community and creating an environment in which she can help the people around her to grasp the spotlight they well deserve.
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Noelle Paul
COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT LEADER
Noelle, a senior at Western Academy of Beijing, has an interest in writing and journalism, and a curiosity for global cultures. At just 17, she interweaves her diverse interests in reading, painting, and chemistry to navigate the intricate tapestry of art, science, and literature. Serving as the writer and translator of Utopix magazine, Noelle is dedicated to curating a mosaic of stories and viewpoints from across the globe. Her mission is to ignite a spark of curiosity and foster a deeper cultural empathy among her readers. This passion was further kindled by her travels across China and the United States. With her unique blend of Chinese and American heritage, Noelle brings a richly nuanced perspective to her work, striving to bridge worlds through the power of storytelling. -
Abby Lau
COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT LEADER
Abby, currently a senior at Western Academy of Beijing, possesses a deep interest with exploring the experiences of marginalized communities, particularly those enduring poverty and neglect. She hopes to amplify the voices of the marginalized, and empower communities globally.
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Lily Zhang
PUBLICATION & DESIGN DEPARTMENT LEADER
Lily Zhang, currently attending twelfth grade at the Western Academy of Beijing, stands at the intersection of divergent worlds. Embodying a harmony of interests and talents, she blends a deep appreciation for academia with a spirited passion for the creative arts. As the Design Department Leader, she channels her unique blend of creative endeavors into vivid images and illustrations, recognized in the form of commercial successes at youth. It’s not uncommon to find Lily immersed in her art, often caught doodling on any surface she can find— much to the amusement (and sometimes exasperation) of her peers and mentors. With every brushstroke, she aims to challenge perceptions, inspire action, and contribute to a discourse that transcends borders, hoping to pave the way for a more interconnected and caring community. -
Portia Tung
OUTREACH DEPARTMENT LEADER
Portia, a current sophomore at the international campus of Beijing No. 4 High School, has always been an active member of her community. She cares greatly about many social issues that may or may not impact her directly and never backs down from an opportunity to voice her ideas. As the outreach department leader, Portia hopes to bring diverse voices and different perspectives; she hopes to reach experts in different fields and create a mixture of ideas from which we can all learn. -
Sophia Popova
GRAPHIC DESIGN HEAD
Sophia Popova is a dedicated senior student at the Western Academy of Beijing, where her artistic talents have garnered recognition through numerous exhibitions of her work across the school campus. Her passion for art extends beyond the confines of the classroom, as she actively seeks to use her creative endeavors as a catalyst for social change within her local community. Sophia's commitment to her craft is evident in the intricate details and thought-provoking themes present in her artwork. -
Jessica Zhao
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Jessica is a Junior studying at the Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, CT. She enjoys swimming, singing, and writing, and strives to use her talents to inspire positive change in her community. As an international student studying abroad, Jessica perceives the various social issues that have negatively impacted communities globally, sparking her interest to make a difference. At Utopix, Jessica hopes to use her voice and creativity to help others, and encourage more community members to do so as well. -
Grace Yue
SUBMISSION REVIEWER & GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Grace Yue, a sophomore in Beijing National Day School’s international department, has always been passionate about sociology, psychology, and art. Combining these passions, she sees art as more than self-expression and release. By showcasing her works in school exhibitions and curating healthcare events, she uses art as a powerful tool for communication. It's a platform to amplify unheard voices, promote social change, and make a positive impact on the world. As a member of Utopix, Grace is committed to using her creativity to tell the stories that matter – not just her own, but those of others and the world around us.
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Emma Zhang
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR & GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Emma Zhang is currently a freshman at Ridley College in Toronto. She's been passionate about art since she was young. In sixth grade, she started using installation art to promote feminism. Through various charity events, she found herself drawn to speaking up about social issues. By the time she was in eighth grade, she was leading her school team in designing campus bulletin boards and tackling numerous current events. She interviewed different groups, giving them a platform to share their voices. She hopes to continue using the power of language and art to help more people. -
Guixin Zhang
TRANSLATOR & SUBMISSION REVIEWER
Guixin, a sophomore at Strath Haven High School in America, has a constant interest in volunteering her time to support the underprivileged. Being interested in painting, volunteering, and medical disciplines, she is rejoiceful to join Utopix's publication and design team and communication team. She aspires to make little contributions to society and find more varied voices in social concerns. -
Doris Xie
GRAPHIC DESIGNER & SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Doris Xie, currently an eleventh grader at the International Department of Shanghai Southwest Weiyu Middle School, has interests in photographing and writing. She continually focuses on different social issues. By designing a mini-program to address the lack of awareness of animal protection in China and organizing exhibitions on anti-animal cruelty. Doris hopes that by joining Utopix, she can make more contributions to the community, in the meantime, more people can hear our voices.
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Jessica Lee
COLUMNIST & SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR
Jessica Lee is a junior at Gyeonggi Academy of Foreign Languages in South Korea. She pursues her interest in imminent social, human rights issues by researching global challenges through her studies in literature and economics. Inspired by her multi-cultural background, she eagerly channels her passion for writing to share unique and overlooked stories from communities around the world. At Utopix, she focuses on journalism, art, and youth culture to bridge gaps between cultures, and drive meaningful conversations. In her free time, she enjoys exploring film and cinema, drawing inspiration from diverse historical films as a lens into popular and relevant culture, that fuels her creative expression.