From Bow Seat Contest Alum to YouTube Creator: Meet Matthew Jeong
November 26, 2025By Tana Valmond, Bow Seat Alumni Advisor & 2024 Future Blue Youth Council member
The Alumni Spotlight Series is a celebration of Bow Seat’s alumni as they continue to make waves in the world. This series aims to highlight their journeys, showcase their creative and environmental work, and inspire our Bow Seat community with stories of impact and growth. Readers can expect monthly insightful interviews, personal reflections, and updates on how these young changemakers are using art, advocacy, and innovation to shape a more sustainable future.
Matthew Jeong is a 17-year-old from Portland, Oregon. He prides himself in motivating others to be their true, bold, innovative selves.
He was introduced to the Bow Seat community as a participant in the Ocean Awareness Contest, where his captivating film earned him an award. His love for film creation didn’t end there, he shares his film skills on different social media platforms regularly. As of today, he has accumulated around 53,000 subscribers across different platforms such as YouTube.
Outside of Bow Seat, Matthew continues to spread ocean preservation awareness campaigns and motivates other youth to hop on board. Matthew Jeong is one of many Bow Seat alumni turning their Contest experience into further creative pursuits. He is an energetic and inspiring filmmaker using visuals to fight for environmental justice.