An “inspiration igniter” for youth union members and students

Without a single speech, but through consistent effort, dedication, and an impressive track record of achievements throughout his youth, Nguyen Minh Quan, Secretary of the Youth Union at Nguyen Trai High School (Long Binh Ward), has become a shining example, an inspiration to generations of Youth Union members and students at the school.

Nguyen Minh Quan (third from the right), Secretary of the Youth Union of Nguyen Trai High School, assigns tasks to members of the school Youth Union Executive Committee ahead of a Youth Union activity. Photo: Nga Son

Striving to fulfill the role of a youth “leader”

Recalling the time he first became involved in Youth Union work, Nguyen Minh Quan shared that while teaching physical education, he was elected Deputy Secretary of the school's Youth Union in 2016, and one year later, he was elected Secretary of the Youth Union of Nguyen Trai High School.

According to Quan, Nguyen Trai High School has a long-standing record of excellence in both academic achievement and Youth Union activities. Teachers and students at the school are dynamic and quick to adapt. Notably, the school is situated in a unique area where up to 90 percent of the students are Catholic, and youth activities in the parishes are particularly vibrant. As Quan himself is not Catholic, understanding this context and organizing activities that could engage Youth Union members and students was no easy task.

Viewing challenges as opportunities to test himself, build skills, and affirm his capabilities, Quan, after taking on the role, proactively reached out to students to learn about the characteristics of Catholic communities, youth activities in the parishes, and to identify both similarities and differences between parish-based and school-based activities. At the same time, he connected with alumni who now serve as catechists in local parishes to support organizing activities at the school.

Importantly, in addition to visible and large-scale events, Quan integrated educational and communication content, primarily focusing on political and ideological education for Youth Union members and students. In parallel, he founded three clubs: Arts and Performance, Communications, and Drama. These clubs not only provide spaces for Youth Union members and students to participate and express their talents but also serve as core groups supporting major commemorative events. Later, he went on to establish additional clubs, including a charity club, an English club, and a green living club, all focused on social welfare and environmental protection.

In recent years, students have not only wanted opportunities to interact within their own school but have also sought exchanges with students from other schools and universities. In response, Quan facilitated connections enabling Youth Union members and students to interact with high schools, colleges, and universities within the province and even beyond. In the context of digital transformation, to help students learn about technology and artificial intelligence, he advised the school leadership to cooperate with institutions such as Dong Nai University of Technology and Lac Hong University to organize a series of activities introducing robotics and artificial intelligence. Through Youth Union–organized activities, students gain more experiential opportunities and valuable preparation for confidently stepping into adulthood.

Continuous creativity

That is how Vu Hoang Bao Chau, a student of class 11A6 at Nguyen Trai High School, described the Youth Union’s activities.

Bao Chau cited that during the recent celebration of Vietnamese Teachers’ Day on November 20, the school's Youth Union organized numerous activities, including fairs, mass dances, art performances, and wall newspapers. Ahead of the Lunar New Year, the Youth Union also organizes a traditional fair and Spring Camp. These are not merely recreational or exchange activities, but meaningful educational environments for Youth Union members and students, offering opportunities to develop life skills, teamwork, organizational abilities, communication, creativity, and adaptability within a collective setting.

Thanks to his efforts and contributions to Youth Union work and school youth movements, Nguyen Minh Quan has received numerous honors, including Outstanding Young Party Member of Dong Nai Province; Outstanding Dong Nai Youth Leader; Advanced Youth Following Uncle Ho’s Teachings of the Southeast Region Cluster; the Dong Nai Outstanding Young Face Award; the Ly Tu Trong Award by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee; and most recently, he was among the individuals honored at the First Patriotic Emulation Congress of Dong Nai Province for the 2025–2030 period.

Beyond creativity in each Youth Union activity, drawing on his experience in organizing school-based Youth Union work, Quan has proposed numerous initiatives and solutions to enhance the quality of Youth Union work and youth movements in schools. In 2024, he proposed a solution to improve the quality of Youth Union work and youth movements through club, team, and group models.

According to Quan, Nguyen Trai High School currently has seven clubs, teams, and groups. Students participating in these clubs, teams, and groups are trained in specific skills, provided with environments that foster creativity, and made aware of their roles within each program and activity.

Regarding the promotion of a reading culture among students, Quan proposed installing bookshelves along classroom corridors. To implement this model, the school launched a campaign encouraging administrators, teachers, students, and parents to voluntarily donate age-appropriate books, thereby creating mini-libraries in the hallway spaces. Before class, during recess, or while waiting for friends, students can easily pick up a book to read. This undertaking helps foster motivation and gradually builds reading habits among students.

These initiatives and solutions reflect the enthusiasm of youth and a spirit of continuous creativity, contributing to making Youth Union activities in schools more accessible, engaging, and practical, thereby attracting a growing number of Youth Union members and students to participate.

By Nga Son – Translated by Quynh Nhu, Minho