Why I Admire Yijia Liu

I admire people who understand that citizenship is more than where you live. It is what you are willing to give back. Yijia Liu understands that deeply.

Yijia came to the United States from China with his family when he was 16 years old. He had to adjust to a new country, a new culture, and a new educational system, all while working toward college and building a future here. He credits his family for helping shape the values that carried him through those challenges: hard work, honesty, respect, loyalty, and service.

Those values eventually led him to serve our country in the United States Navy.

Yijia worked on fighter jets and deployed at sea, sometimes for months at a time. He has described standing watch for his shipmates, working on flight decks in unpredictable conditions, and watching aircraft land in the darkness of night. He also took on the responsibility of mentoring fellow sailors and helping others navigate the challenges of military life. This tells me a lot about him.

Service teaches you responsibility. It teaches you that other people are depending on you, that details matter, and that you cannot simply walk away when things become difficult.

Yijia has carried that same mindset into civilian life. He has a degree in computer science, works in environmental monitoring, and brings experience in technology, planning, risk management, leadership, and coordination. He is also trilingual in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese.

What I especially respect about Yijia is his belief in civil discussion. He believes problems are solved through courteous dialogue, an open mind, and a willingness to work toward consensus. We could use much more of that in public life today.

Yijia and his family chose Bernards Township because they value education, family, and community. He wants our schools focused on academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and helping every student reach his or her full potential. He also understands how important it is to protect the reputation our school district has worked so hard to earn.

But beyond the résumé and the accomplishments, what stands out to me is the journey. A young immigrant comes to America, works hard, earns an education, serves his country in uniform, builds a career, raises a family, and then steps forward to serve his community. That is a story worth respecting!

And that is why I admire Yijia Liu.