caleb kim.CALIFORNIA / CLASS OF 2027

A FEW THINGS THAT MAKE ME, ME.

A LITTLE ABOUT ME

Hi, I’m Caleb.

I’m a high school senior in California, interested in business management and the creative side of fashion.

Running, volunteering, and building my clothing brand, SQZY, are a few of the things that fill my days. Here’s a closer look.

Start with the miles
OUTSIDE THE BULLET POINTS

A little of my everyday.

A sunny day of volunteering
With classmates at school
At the Pasadena Trail Race Series
01 / THE MILES

A few finish lines.
A lot of showing up.

Before the start · Pasadena
At the finish · Pasadena
EARLY STARTS. SHARED FINISH LINES.
DISTANCE RUNNING13.1
MILES AT A TIMETHE HALF MARATHON

I started running races in 2022. Since then, my race calendar has taken me from Pasadena to Yosemite and Big Bear.

Running is one part of my life that exists outside the classroom and outside a job title. These are a few milestones along the way.

10

Half marathons completed

Across the races listed in my running history.

8th

Yosemite Trail Half Marathon

In my age group · June 2024

9th

REVEL Big Bear Half Marathon

M15–18 age division · 2:08:20 · November 2024

ALONG THE WAY

The moments around
the miles.

Big Bear, Pasadena, and the people along the route.

Race day at REVEL Big Bear
A water stop at the KART 31K Run
Big Bear · 13.1 miles in 2:08:20
One more from the route01 PHOTO
The KART 31K Run starting area
02 / THE PEOPLE

Part of something
close to home.

My volunteering connects me with students, neighbors, and Korean American history.

Sometimes that means working through math with a student. Other days, it means sharing food, helping organize volunteers, or guiding visitors through a cultural center.

At a community food distribution
SMALL TASKS. REAL CONNECTIONS.
01

Time with a student

Through Saejowi, I’ve spent two years tutoring a student in fourth- and fifth-grade math. It’s a consistent, personal part of my community work.

SAEJOWI · SINCE 2024
02

Showing up locally

With GUYV, I’ve helped distribute food and necessities at shelters and community events. Through KAYA, I also help organize volunteering sessions and encourage others to join.

GUYV + KAYA
03

Sharing a culture

As a cultural-center tour guide with KASEF, I’ve helped visitors explore Korean history and Korean American identity.

KASEF · SINCE 2023
IN THE MIDDLE OF IT

A box to carry.
A bag to pack.
A person to meet.

Helping distribute food and everyday necessities
Flowers at a community distribution
More days of showing up15 PHOTOS
Carrying supplies together
Packing snacks and care bags
Sorting clothing with KAYA
Cleaning the Peace Monument
A visit to the recycling center
Volunteers together at the veterans memorial
The team at a community food event
A community gathering outdoors
Tending the area around the Peace Monument
Volunteers at the Peace Monument
Preparing bags for a community distribution
Sorting recyclables
Working through bags of recyclables
Recycling together
After a visit to the recycling center
RECOGNITION ALONG THE WAY

Service, recognized.

I’m grateful that this work has been recognized. The organizations and activities above are the part of that story I want you to know.

2024 + 2025Presidential Gold Awards
2025California Senate AwardSenator Sasha Renee Perez
More community recognition
  • U.S. Congress Young Kim — recognition of volunteer efforts, 2026
  • County of Los Angeles — recognition of dedicated service, 2026
  • U.S. Representative Derek T. Tran — Congressional recognition, 2026
  • Assemblymember Laura Friedman — California Legislature Assembly Award, 2024
THE PEOPLE AROUND THE WORK

Better with company.

Gatherings, preparations, and evenings with KAYA.

Together with the Korean American Youth Association
KAYA together before the evening parade
Flags, balloons, and lights on the KAYA float
More moments with KAYA14 PHOTOS
A moment with the KAYA team
Getting ready for a KAYA gathering
Conversation around a table at KAYA
A room full of KAYA members
Time around the table
KAYA members with the group banner
A group photo with KAYA
With the KAYA team
A KAYA group gathering
Friends at a KAYA gathering
KAYA members together with the banner
A candid moment with the KAYA group
Getting the KAYA truck ready
The KAYA float along the parade route
CULTURE & CONNECTION

A little closer to home.

Korean history, classroom conversations, and time together.

Exploring a Korean American history exhibit
Sharing a Korean word of the day at school
From the classroom to the community16 PHOTOS
A group visit to the Korean history center
Together at a Korean cultural gathering
A classroom club gathering
A group moment outside the community gathering
Working on a classroom craft activity
Making paper crafts together
Sharing an activity with classmates
A classroom activity in progress
Classmates around the activity tables
A community gathering indoors
Sharing a meal at the cultural center
Conversation around the table
A meal together at the cultural center
A moment with a friend at the gathering
Banners outside the Saejowi center
Outside the Saejowi center
03 / THE IDEAS

A softer side.
A new direction.

SQZY is where my interest in fashion becomes something I can work on.

I created the name and motto behind the brand, with comfort at the center. I’ve also worked with OffSchool Authors on club clothing for their fundraising efforts supporting communities in Honduras.

That connection between creative decisions and the work of organizing a project is part of why I want to study business management.

SQZY / CREATE TOGETHER.
Caleb’s SQZY washed-blue cloud T-shirt design, front and back
FROM MY SQZY DESIGN BOARD / CLOUD TEE CONCEPT
STILL GETTING TO KNOW ME?

Runner. Teammate.
Something-in-the-making.

There’s also baseball, volleyball, and a lot I’m looking forward to exploring in college. Business management is the direction I’m heading. Fashion is one place I’d like to take it.

Back to the beginning