Theary grew up in a rural region of Siem Reap, Cambodia alongside her parents, brother, sister, and grandmother. Raised in a farming family with her parents working multiple jobs and being inspired by her JPA education, she is driven to create equitable opportunities for Cambodia’s youth. Theary honed her organizational and mentoring skills through leading her speech and debate club. She wants to earn a degree in Education in order to reform the Cambodian school system to ensure every child, regardless of background, can succeed.