Hi everyone,

I’m raising funds for Neko Wong, one of my photography students and one of the most remarkable young artists I’ve ever had the privilege to teach.

Neko discovered photography almost by accident — she joined my class in 2024 because she couldn’t get into her drawing course. What began as a backup plan quickly became a passion and calling. Within months, she developed a striking creative voice and technical mastery well beyond her years. She’s now a published photographer, a teaching assistant in my current class, and the designer of our school’s yearbook cover. She also tutors other students after school, photographs nearly every school event, and even runs lights for the theater program.

Outside of school, Neko spends her free time biking all over the Bay Area to capture nature and community through her lens. She’s biked over 80 miles in a single day to visit nature centers and offer her photography services — all self-motivated and done purely out of love for her craft and her community.

Recently, Neko was hit by a car while biking to take photos. Thankfully, she’s recovering, but her bike was destroyed and her camera was broken beyond repair. These were not just tools — they were her independence, her voice, and her means of creative expression.

Funds from this campaign will go directly toward:

A new bike so she can travel safely to school and photography projects

A new camera and basic equipment so she can continue creating and sharing her art

Neko has taught me, and so many of her peers, what it means to be brave, creative, and generous. I have no doubt she will continue to inspire and make a difference — she just needs the right tools to do it.

Thank you so much for reading, sharing, and supporting Neko’s journey. Every contribution — no matter the size — helps her get back on her feet and back behind the lens.