About Us
Charlotte Ziqing Chen
Co-Founder
Chryceis Hollars
President
Charlotte, a student at Emma Willard School, channels her creativity and imagination into her passion for visual arts and playing the violin. Actively engaged in various activities at school, Charlotte is a member of the Empire State Youth Orchestra and editor clubs, demonstrating her diverse interests and commitment to extracurricular involvement.
As the president of Emma Starpoint, Charlotte plays a pivotal role in fundraising efforts for children with autism, both locally and in her home country. Inspired by her visit to an institution for children with autism back home, Charlotte witnessed firsthand their challenges and circumstances. Motivated to make a difference, she volunteered at the institution, offering art therapy sessions to children and assisting with violin classes, igniting their interest in music during school breaks.
Charlotte's dedication to both her artistic pursuits and her philanthropic endeavors reflects her compassionate nature and drive to positively impact her community, both near and far.
Chryceis Hollars, a sophomore, is deeply engaged in a diverse array of hobbies, clubs, and activities. As the vice-president of Emma Starpoint, she passionately fundraises for and supports children with autism. Chryceis is an active member of the Spanish Honors Society, serves as secretary for her school's Science Olympiad Team, and holds the treasurer position for the local CCC-CAPE organization.
In addition to her leadership roles, Chryceis dedicates her time as a volunteer tutor and leads the online China Service Ventures Youth Reading Club (CSV). On weekends, she shares her passion for hip-hop through teaching sessions for children. Notably, Chryceis excels in athletics as a varsity golfer and dancer on a competition team.
Beyond her academic and extracurricular pursuits, Chryceis is an avid reader, writer, singer, and musician, proficient in flute and piano. Committed to community service, she has earned recognition with the Gold President's Volunteer Service Award for accumulating over 300 hours of volunteering in a single year.
Maxine Li
Senior Vice President
Zitong Xu
Vice President for Publicity
Maxine is a passionate advocate for the arts and music, showcasing her talents on piano and ukulele while also lending her voice to her school choir. Actively involved in a variety of clubs and activities, Maxine's enthusiasm extends to her role as secretary of Emma Starpoint, where she contributes to fundraising efforts for children with autism.
Beyond her school commitments, Maxine generously volunteers with GLAD Academy English Tutoring, guiding students from China in mastering the English language. She also dedicates her time to CCC-CAPE, a local organization focused on mental health education within the community.
In addition to her academic and volunteer pursuits, Maxine excels in athletics, achieving 1st place in the Junior PGA team tournaments and participating in varsity golf and track and field. Notably, she has served as a representative at her school district’s board meetings for three years, showcasing her leadership and commitment to civic engagement.
Zitong Xu, a sophomore, is the Vice President for Publicity at Emma Starpoint. She takes on different leadership roles in her school and actively engages in volunteer services. As the treasurer of her school’s international club, she would use her experience and skills to use for Emma Starpoint. She is also part of many other clubs like Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) where she was given a Color Award for the participation in the club. She is currently doing volunteer at her Chinese Community Center - Chinese school as a teacher assistant. She believes that helping people is a powerful way to make a positive impact on other people.
Vice President for Programs
Jiaxin Lian
Jiaxin Lian serves as the Vice President for Programs at Emma StarPoint Autism Support Network. She is a dedicated student with a strong passion for music, sports, and the arts. She is an active member of her school’s Drum Line Club and enjoys playing both the piano and guitar. Additionally, she has a deep interest in photography, capturing meaningful moments through her lens. In sports, Jiaxin competes as a member of her school’s ping pong team, demonstrating her commitment to athletic excellence.
Beyond academics and extracurricular activities, Jiaxin is passionate about community service. She has participated in Asian Pacific American Public Affairs Association (APAPA) Albany Chapter volunteer activities and actively supports fundraising efforts for children with autism, striving to make a positive impact through her involvement.
Tianji Liang
Vice President for Fundraising
Tianji Liang, a junior at Albany Academy, serves as the Vice President for Fundraising at Emma StarPoint. He is a passionate volunteer committed to making a positive impact through service and leadership. At school, Tianji is an active member of the Science Bowl team, where he enjoys exploring complex science topics and collaborating with teammates in a competitive environment. He also joined the table tennis club, combining his love for the sport with friendly games and community building. As a member of Emma StarPoint, Tianji hopes to continue to devote his time and energy to supporting children with autism, working to ensure that every child is seen, heard, and valued in all aspects of their life.
Qian Hui Xu
Vice President for Events
Qianhui Xu, a junior at Shenendehowa High School, is the Vice President for Events at Emma StarPoint and a dedicated volunteer passionate about helping others. Beyond autism advocacy, she takes on leadership roles and actively engages in community service.
As the secretary of her school’s international club, Qianhui fosters cultural awareness and inclusivity. She is also a member of the business, science, and math honor societies and has been recognized for her academic excellence, including an FBLA business award. Her past role as a netball manager highlights her leadership and teamwork skills.
She volunteers at local food banks, helps organize events, and serves as a teacher assistant at the Chinese Community Center-Chinese school. Inspired by childhood friends with autism, she became committed to advocacy and meaningful service. Now, as a member of Emma StarPoint, she hopes to continue making a difference by ensuring every child receives the support and opportunities they deserve.
Gang Yuan
Co Vice President for Events
Gang Yuan is currently an 11th-grade student at Albany Academy and a young changemaker with exceptional leadership potential and a strong sense of social responsibility. At Albany Academy, Gang served as a Chinese teaching assistant for younger students. He not only taught language skills but also played a key role in classroom management and student engagement, earning consistent recognition from both teachers and students. During the school’s International Food Festival, he was in charge of adjusting and maintaining technical equipment on site, serving as the technical backbone of the event. At Emma StarPoint, he proactively coordinated with multiple parties to ensure smooth collaboration across all aspects of the event, demonstrating outstanding organizational skills and calm, sound judgment.
Patrick Mao
IT Director
Patrick Mao is a Computer Science major at SUNY with a passion for technology, logic, and problem-solving.As an autistic student. Patrick uses his unique strengths- such as attention to detail, creativity, and logical thinking-- to excel in his studies and contribute to meaningful tech projects. In addition to his academic pursuits. Patrick is passionate about giving back to the autism community. He joined Emma Starpoint a year ago where he collaborates with peers, volunteering their time in supporting autistic people. Patrick is driven by the belief that technology can empower the people with of all abilities.
Alan Yuan
Co Vice President for Volunteers
Alan Yuan, an 11th-grade student at Albany Academy, gives his all on the field as a dedicated member of both the football and track teams. Constantly pushing his physical limits, he also inspires those around him with strong determination and team spirit. Beyond athletics, Alan actively participates in school-led volunteer work, such as mentoring younger students and contributing to community clean-up efforts. He believes that an athlete’s influence should go beyond the field—serving the community and spreading positive energy. Looking ahead, Alan hopes to continue achieving excellence in both sports and academics, while using his journey to inspire other young people to chase their dreams and push their limits.