Costa junior Hugh Saetia and senior Lila Mokhtari were recently named finalists for the Inaugural Los Angeles World Affairs Council Emerging Leaders Award, a recognition highlighting those under 18 who are making an impact though innovative passion projects.
The opportunity came through Costa’s Model United Nations (Model UN) program, where students are exposed to real world political and global issues. The Model UN teacher, Wayne Knutson, introduced the award through the council’s connection to international conferences and speakers.
“It started out with Model UN, because our teacher Mr. Knutson is working with the L.A. World Affairs Council, which is this international forum where we can listen to politicians speak and people from international relations talk about current relevant issues.”
The award required applicants to submit either an essay or a three minute video describing their project and mission. Both Saetia and Mokhtari entered with organizations they had already built from the ground up. Mokhtari submitted her soap company, a social impact business designed to encourage hygiene for children while supporting clean water initiatives.
“My soap company is a social impact company where I create soap bars with toys inside to motivate kids to wash their hands,” Moktari said.
Moktari’s work has expanded beyond a simple product as she has sold her soaps at flea markets and partnered with The Thirst Project, a nonprofit organization that aims to provide access to safe and clean drinking water to everyone in the country. She clarified that the fundraising impact connected to her work has grown significantly over time.
“In three years, we’ve raised $33,000,” Mokhtari said.
Saetia’s nonprofit began from a deeply personal moment. After his babysitter’s son passed away, he created a painting in his memory, an experience that changed how he viewed the power of art. That moment became the framework for “Eternal Canvas Foundation,” a registered nonprofit that provides hand painted portraits to grieving families.
“I didn’t really see the power of what art could do,” Saetia said.
Since launching the foundation in January 2024, Saetia has expanded the organization across Los Angeles and beyond by commissioning artists of different ages and backgrounds. The project has received significant attention, including recent media coverage on ABC News.
“We’ve painted over 70 families across the Los Angeles District,” Saetia said.
Although neither student won first place, both were among the top finalists and left the experience motivated to keep building and continue pursuing their passions. Moktari said she hopes more Costa students learn about the opportunity, and apply in the future.
“I think we should better market this competition, because a lot of Costa students would do really well for it,” Mokhtari said.
For Mokhtari and Saetia, being recognized as emerging leaders reflects their commitment to using creativity and initiative to make a real difference. Their projects display how Costa students are capable of shaping their community, and inspiring change long before graduation.
“Doing good in the world doesn’t have to be different from making money,” said Mokhtari.
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