Meet Elisa Kim | Student & Advocate for Public Policy and Education

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elisa Kim and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elisa, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
For me, the value that matters most is authenticity.

I believe authenticity is about living in a way that stays true to who you are, even as life continues to shape and change you. It’s not about presenting a polished image or pretending to have all the answers — it’s about staying honest with yourself, even when that honesty is hard.

In a world that often celebrates noise and appearances, being authentic sometimes means choosing the quieter path — listening when others are speaking over each other, noticing the person who’s been overlooked, standing still when the crowd is moving in a different direction. It’s about seeing people for who they are, not just who they appear to be, and treating them with the respect and kindness that every human being deserves.

I see this especially in the teachers who have made the biggest difference in my life — teachers like Mrs. Jadormeo, Mrs. Doyle-Crossman, and Ms. McCutchen. Each of them, in different ways, have shown me what it looks like to lead with sincerity, to listen when others might turn away, and to meet people where they are. Their authenticity has created spaces where I could grow not just academically, but personally — learning to trust my own voice, even when it was still finding its way. I’m incredibly grateful for their example, and it’s something I hope to carry forward in how I treat others, too.

I don’t think authenticity is something you master once and for all. I see it as a daily practice — a series of small choices to stay true, to stay open, and to stay kind. It’s about being willing to grow and change without losing sight of what matters most inside you.

At the end of the day, I hope to live in a way where, years from now, I can look back and know:
I didn’t live my life for approval. I didn’t turn away from people when they needed to be seen. I stayed close to what was real, both in myself and in others.

That, to me, is what makes a life meaningful — not the noise or the recognition, but the quiet honesty and connection we leave behind in the lives we touch.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve never believed that the measure of a life is found in grand achievements or titles. I believe it’s found in the quiet choices — the way we show up for others, the way we try, however imperfectly, to leave the world a little better than we found it.

In the Bible, there’s a parable about a mustard seed — the smallest of all seeds, which when planted, grows into a tree large enough to shelter birds in its branches. I’ve always loved that image. It reminds me that the smallest acts, planted with faith and care, can grow into something far larger than we might ever expect.

That belief has guided everything I do. Through my nonprofit, Books and Bears, I’ve worked to provide free tutoring, sports camps, and resources to children who might not otherwise have had access to them. But if I’m proud of anything, it’s not the programs themselves — it’s the moments of connection they created, the quiet spaces where a child could feel seen, supported, and capable.

Most recently, I co-founded a start-up with my sister named BillIt — a youth-centered civic platform that empowers young people to draft their own legislative bills, receive constructive feedback, and engage in structured debate to strengthen their civic literacy and leadership skills. We’re launching soon, and I’m excited to see how it grows — and how it helps more students find their voice.

One of the experiences that shaped me most was helping a classmate of mine who was battling leukemia. His family carried burdens far heavier than anyone should have to bear — a mother who had to leave her job to care for him, a sibling who left school to be at his side. With the help of my community, we raised over $17,000 to support them. I also saved to bring them Christmas gifts and meals, not because I thought I could solve their struggles, but because I wanted them to know they weren’t alone. In truth, they gave me more than I ever gave them: they taught me what resilience looks like in its purest form, and what it means to carry hope even in the hardest seasons.

The road to this point hasn’t been without difficulty. Balancing school, service, and personal growth has often meant sacrificing comfort for purpose. There were times of uncertainty — moments where the hours felt long, the progress invisible, and the temptation to stop was real. But what I have learned is that meaningful work is rarely easy, and that faithfulness, not immediate success, is what sustains it.

The most enduring lessons have been quiet ones:
That patience matters more than recognition.
That hope is not something we feel; it’s something we choose.
That true service is not about being needed, but about being willing.

I don’t know where every step forward will lead. But like the mustard seed, I believe that even the smallest things — a few hours spent tutoring, a meal shared, a smile — can grow into something that gives shelter and hope to others. And that, to me, is more than enough.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Honestly, there are so many great local businesses around here that it’s hard to name them all — little coffee shops, restaurants, places you just stumble into and end up loving, but if my best friend was visiting for a week, these are the places definitely prioritize.

We’d start at Steakyard for their picanha — the best steak I’ve had in Dallas so far — and grab matcha from Foxtrot or Sadelle’s in the mornings. I love walking the Katy Trail after, especially when the weather’s nice and you can just slow down and talk.

We’d definitely spend a full day up in Carrollton — hopping between stores, trying different restaurants. There’s always something new to see and something good to eat, which is one of my favorite things about Dallas. We’d also stop by Pho Bac in Richardson — it’s super casual but consistently great. I love frequenting in the summer, typically meeting up with my dad for lunch before he goes back to work.

I always make it a point to find art wherever I go, so I’d want to make sure my guest experiences that too. I just recently attended the Dallas Art Fair, and it was equally exciting and inspiring to see people from all walks of life interact with exhibitions from all over the globe to connect over their love of art. The Kimbell Art Museum is beautiful — easily one of my favorite places in Dallas. They have a few Degas pieces, who’s my favorite artist, and their café is perfect for relaxing or catching up on work over the weekend. We’d also visit the Dallas Museum of Art, which is big enough that you always find something new, but not so huge that it feels overwhelming. I love these spots when life feels a little heavy — they meet you right where you are and leave you with a deeper appreciation for everything around you, and everything that came before.

If there’s a Mavs game, we’d definitely go — even though I’ll always be loyal to the Milwaukee Bucks. I’ve always loved sports, so if we could catch a Cowboys or Rangers game too, even better. And if it lines up, the Byron Nelson golf tournament is always such a fun time. If there’s a movie night at Klyde Warren Park, we’d grab a blanket, some snacks, and just hang out under the lights — those simple nights always end up being the most memorable.

Of course, we’d have to fit in some good barbecue — either Hutchins or Terry Black’s, depending on what we’re craving — and secure a reservation at Lucia before the week’s over for the best Italian in the city, arguably the state.

But honestly, it wouldn’t be about hitting every place on a list. It would just be about good food, long walks, art, sports, and making the kind of memories you don’t plan for — the ones that somehow stay with you the longest.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my family — they are the foundation behind everything I am and everything I hope to become.

Since fifth grade, I’ve been tutoring children at my local library, teaching Sunday School at my church since third grade, and eventually founding my own nonprofit, Books and Bears, to provide resources for underprivileged children. But before I ever helped other kids, I had two younger siblings of my own, Chloe and Daniel, who first taught me what it means to guide, support, and love unconditionally.

At the heart of everything has been my parents. My mom set aside her education and career to stay at home full-time and raise me and my siblings, pouring all of her time, energy, and dreams into making sure we had the best start in life. My dad worked endlessly to support us and build a future where we could have opportunities they never had.

Their sacrifices were never small. Every moment they spent supporting me, every ounce of faith they placed in me, built the path that I walk today. I owe so much to them — not just for what they gave, but for the way they believed in me every step of the way.

More than anything, I’m grateful for the example they set through their trust and love for God. Their faith has shaped the way I learned to view the world — with gratitude, with compassion, and with a commitment to serve others with a full and open heart. Their faith was never forced; it was lived, every day, with humility and kindness, and it taught me by example what it truly means to build a life anchored in something greater than yourself. If I can grow up to reflect even a small part of who they are, I know I will have lived a life I can be proud of.