| Aimee is currently attending UCLA as a double major in Public Affairs and International Development Studies. She is passionate about city-wide equity, youth development, voter rights, environmental sustainability, and immigration policy. She is the Co-Chair of a program called Improving Dreams, Equity, and Access at UCLA, a 2023 Astin Community Engaged Research Scholar, and was selected as the 2023 Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Program Law & Policy fellow at UC Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy. Fun fact: Aimee was a competitive ballet dancer from the age of 5 to 18! |
| Shecid is currently a senior at Benjamin Franklin HS and plans to pursue a joint Architecture and Urban Planning program in college. Her vision for the future of LA is that every resident has a permanent home they can call safe and sanitary. She hopes to contribute to CD 1's efforts of tackling homelessness by conducting research on constant electricity, plumbing, storage, and safety. She is part of her school’s Environmental Club, Key Club, and currently working with CD 1to make a Student Career Development Advisory Panel. Fun fact: Shecid owns 5 cockatiels. |
| Emma is currently a senior at Cleveland HS. Her vision for the future of LA is to build stronger and safer communities while expanding opportunity for all. She is the founder of GenZCrusade, an organization intended to combat gun violence, and Captain of her school’s Speech and Debate team. She aspires to be a businesswoman, lawyer, and eventually the President of the United States. Fun fact: Emma loves to run! |
| Lauren is currently a junior at Buckley HS and plans to pursue Public Economics in college. Her vision for the future of LA is to make it an all-inclusive and accessible city. She is the founder of a non-profit called Girls Innovate Future Technologies, a former youth representative of the North Hollywood North East Neighborhood Council, and currently a member of the California Association of Student Councils. Fun fact: Lauren plays for her school’s volleyball team! |
| Andrew is currently a sophomore at the USC Price School of Public Policy focusing on housing policy, the environment, and the functions and complexities of our city. His vision for the future of LA is centered around justice, progress, innovation, sustainability, and affordable housing. He serves on the USC Presidential Working Group on Sustainability, interned for LACERA, and held a leadership position at Sunrise Los Angeles Youth. Fun fact: Andrew is an avid foodie! |
| Michael is currently a junior at North Hollywood HS interested in law, politics, and history. As a LA City Youth Council member, he hopes to work firsthand on policy issues that forge a path toward a safer, cleaner, and fairer city. He is the founder and president of his school's award-winning History Day team and a member of the LAUSD Board District 3 Student Advisory Council. Fun fact: Michael is a big Lakers fan! |
| Itzel is currently attending The Science Academy STEM Magnet in North Hollywood and plans to major in Government of Political Science in college. She is passionate about political efficacy in LA, primarily related to youth or underrepresented groups, and envisions a city where everyone's needs are met with overall greater access to resources. She serves in her school’s Youth & Government and Latinx Student Union, at her local church, and as a coach for youth sports. Fun fact: Itzel enjoys astronomy documentaries! |
| Quinn is currently attending Valley International Preparatory HS in Northridge. Since the age of 8, he has loved history and started a YouTube channel called A Kid Explains History which has over 5 million views, 27k subscribers, and has been licensed by Discovery Kids and Sensical/Common Sense Media. His vision for the future of LA is widespread public transportation, more public housing, and continuous work on keeping every part of our great city clean and beautiful. Fun fact: Quinn has dual citizenship as an American and New Zealander. |
| Azalea is currently a first-year undergraduate student at UCLA as a major in (Pre)-Political Science with an intended minor in English. Her vision for the future of LA - to improve the efficiency, accessibility, and equity of the city’s transportation systems - is ignited by lack of walkability linked to the city’s vast size, car-centric infrastructure, and dispersed urban development. She has worked for a Congressional campaign in the 2022 midterm elections; served as the Secretary-General of Model United Nations (MUN), Associated Student Body Commissioner of Multicultural Affairs, and more. Fun fact: Azalea has her own handmade jewelry business! |
| Sara is currently a junior at Harvard-Westlake School. She is interested in criminal law, public policy, chemistry, and marine biology. Her vision for the future of LA is to create more cohesive intercommunity relations and address long-term issues such as climate change and income disparities. Outside of school, Sara is a sergeant at arms for the Santa Monica Delegation of Youth and Government and serves on the statewide Delegate Advisory Committee. Fun Fact: Sara runs a non-profit ice cream business called Sara's Scoops! |
| Hugo is currently a senior at Geffen Academy at UCLA and plans to study political science in college. His interests are in public policy and sociology, and he envisions a city that welcomes all young people to chase their dreams without worrying about their economic situation. Hugo is the co-founder of Teens at the Door, an organization dedicated to creating community for refugee teenagers; Editor-In-Chief of the Geffen Academy Reader; a member of his school’s National Honor Society, Radio Club, and Film Club. Fun fact: Hugo enjoys making short films! |
| Sandra is currently attending UCLA as major in Public Affairs. Her vision for the future of LA is to see a local government that works collectively with nonprofit organizations and community leaders to foster a tight-knit community where the well-being of constituents are a priority. Sandra is the cofounder of a community-based, non-profit organization called Raices del San Fernando Valle; currently works for El Nido Family Centers as a Promotora; serves as a Renter Representative for Arleta’s NC and Business Director for Panorama City’s NC. Fun fact: Sandra has made a few appearances on TV! |
| Diego is currently attending LA Mission College where he is working to obtain AA degrees in Psychology, Business, and General Studies. As a member of the LA City Youth Council, he is eager to advocate for the development of job opportunities within the city of LA, particularly in collaboration with local tech companies. He believes that by further embracing diversity and providing opportunities for all members of our community, we can build a stronger and more vibrant Los Angeles that benefits everyone. Fun fact: Diego has broken both arms! |
| Gabriela is currently attending Cesar Chavez Learning Academies - ARTES Magnet and plans to pursue Engineering in college. Her vision for LA is to improve the environmental aspects at the local level, as well as instill motivation in all youth to graduate. She is VP of her school’s Student Government, School Ambassador, President of the Gardening Club, Audio-visual Crew Leader, and Assistant Stage Manager of the Stage Technology Crew. She hopes to expand her knowledge of the immigrant youth situation in the community and look for better ways to support them. Fun fact: Gabriela was born and raised in Colombia! |
| Paula is currently attending Hamilton HS and plans to study Political Science in college, ultimately to pursue law school. Her vision for the future of LA is one in which the needs of the younger generations are not disregarded as a problem of tomorrow, but ones that are prioritized, alongside the improvement of providing basic necessities to the public, thus giving them a safety net that would allow them to live and not just survive. She has interned with the Constitutional Rights Foundation, is the current president of her school’s Model Congress, is an activist for migrant rights and criminal justice reform with Amnesty, has partook in an investigative report with Princeton’s Summer Journalism Program, and more. Fun fact: Paula can recite Dostoevsky's life! |
| Vianny is currently attending Alliance Collins Family College Ready HS. Her areas of interest are international politics, American politics, and philosophy; she plans to pursue a law degree and specialize in civil rights cases. Her vision for the future of LA provides more accessible social mobility, more resources for kids from urban communities, and more love all-around. Vianny is an active member in her school’s JSA chapter and is currently in the process of starting a UNICEF chapter at her school. Fun fact: Vianny has ate three pounds of ceviche in one sitting before! |
| Omar is currently attending SMC as a major in Computer Science with the end goal of becoming a Front End Web Developer. His vision for the future of LA is to end homelessness by understanding why it’s so widespread and then intervening earlier to prevent it before it escalates. During the holidays, he volunteers for LAHSA to gift baskets of essentials to the homeless. His next project is to create an application for HS students where internship and job opportunities are streamlined to prepare them for life post-grad. Fun fact: Omar enjoys being around cats! |
| Christopher graduated from California State University Dominguez Hills and received degrees in both Political Science and Psychology, with a minor in Public Administration. His vision for the future of LA is expansive programming accessible to youth in order to enhance positive educational, social, and cultural outcomes. Christopher is currently a domestic intern for the Center for Economic and Policy Research where he supports senior researchers with projects and data collection on the United States economy. Fun fact: Christopher went fly fishing in New Zealand! |
| Khalil is currently attending LA Trade Technical College and plans to transfer to Cal State LA in the Spring Semester of 2024 as a major in Sociology with a minor in Criminal Justice. His vision for the future of LA is a city where everyone can come together as one while embracing differences in background and culture. Khalil is a member for Brotherhood Crusade, 6 years and counting. His ultimate career goals consist of becoming a social worker, working within the clinical setting, opening a mental health organization, and promoting art as a form of self-expression. Fun fact: Khalil enjoys cooking! |
| Mateo is currently attending Geffen Academy at UCLA and enjoys learning about the influence that media + advertising have on large groups of people. He plans on pursuing a major in Political Science in college. Mateo’s vision for the future of LA is a city where every civilian is well-informed of political agenda through clear communication as the foundation between the government and its civilians. He is currently a member of YMCA'’s Youth and Government as well as Teen Line, a California Youth Crisis Line. Fun fact: Mateo has three siblings and cherishes his family! |
| Jonmathew is currently attending Animo Venice Charter HS and has a strong interest in studying Computer Science and Political Science in college — especially in understanding the significant impact of computer technology on today’s politics. His vision for the future of LA is an inclusive environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds have abundant opportunities for personal growth and economic advancement. He currently serves as president of Student Task Force chapter at his school, has founded his school’s Coding Club, and is a long-time runner for SRLA. Fun fact: Jonmathew has never been on an airplane. |
| Sam is recent college graduate from LMU with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and a Minor in Accounting. As a Youth Council member, he desires to examine the dynamics of social and economic conflicts to find solutions to these challenges. His vision for the future of LA is one that consists of growth in areas such as business, leadership, and living standards. Sam’s goals lie in the business sector, as he wishes to one day launch and assist businesses and nonprofits with the sole purpose of providing means for youth to excel in their educational and career goals. Fun fact: Sam took part in an archeological excavation in the Middle East. |
| Angela is currently attending Granada Hills Charter HS in the STEM Program with a dual interest in Computer Science and Public Policy. Her youth-centered vision for the future of LA revolves around active reform in areas that have disproportionately impacted BIPOC youth: youth homelessness, mental health, and police-community relations. By achieving these goals, she must cultivate core community values of compassion, transparency, and collaboration. She is a member of the LA Youth Advisory Board within Legacy LA, has founded GirlUp Community Club, has interned with the Mayor's Gang Reduction and Youth Development Office, and more. Fun fact: Angela's favorite music genres are Disney and 90s Hip-Hop. |
| Baron is currently attending Van Nuys HS with an area of interest in Cybersecurity. His vision for the future of LA is a city where the youth feels represented, heard, and safe; He hopes to see change that allows for more city budget to be allocated towards preparing the youth for the future. He is currently the Club Coach of his school’s ACSL (American Computer Science League) and president of a non-profit that teaches coding to elementary students in low-income neighborhoods. Fun fact: Baron is an an avid snowboarder, despite living in the valley. |
| Samantha is currently attending Cal State LA where she is pursuing a degree in Mass Communication with an emphasis in Advertising and Public Relations as well as a minor in Child Development. As a member of the LA City Youth Council, she hopes to increase awareness of pedestrian and public transportation projects in our city as well as create a one-stop hub where youth can access free/low-cost recreational activities/facilities in their area. In the future, Samantha would like to copywrite, be an executive director of a non-profit servicing youth, and run for LAUSD board member. Fun fact: Samantha collects beanie babies! |
| Thomas is currently attending LA Trade-Technical College as a Fashion Design major. His environmentalist vision for the future of LA includes a streamlined and accessible public transit system and an increase in green spaces supported by a return to a native ecosystem. His ultimate career goal is to be an arts educator and mentor to secondary school-aged students, and he hopes to empower and support young Angelenos in pursuing their goals. Fun fact: Thomas is a LARPer, which combines his love of costuming with improvisational theater. |
| Prescilla is a recent college graduate from UC Irvine with a B.S. in Political Science and Criminology. Her vision for the future of LA is one that champions the promotion of resources and opportunity for every single Angeleno, especially by investing in inner-city, sub-communities. Currently, she is Vice President of the Administration of Justice club at East LA College and a participant of LAPD's Central Area's Citizen Police Academy. Her long-term career goal is to work as a criminal lawyer for the City of Los Angeles, specifically within the District Attorney's office. Fun fact: Prescilla grew up playing basketball at Evergreen Park. |
| Zooey is currently attending UCLA as a major in History. Her vision for the future of LA is one that can battle our housing crisis by working against gentrification by providing more rent protections and housing stability to low-income families; providing more resources, attention, and aid to unhoused people; making homeownership more achievable; working harder to serve and protect marginalized neighborhoods. She has been involved with Students Deserve throughout HS and worked for ACLU’s Youth Coalition. Fun fact: Zooey loves to sew and is currently crocheting a sweater in manifestation for colder weather. |
| Enrique is currently attending Early College Academy at LATTC with an interest in Political Science. His vision for the future of LA is a city that leads and can be looked upon. As member of the Youth Council, he hopes to gain more leadership skills as well as become a stepping stone for younger generations. He is an active member of Student Cite Council, Governing School Cite Council, LAPD Cadets, and Class of 2024 Club. Enrique plans to go to college and ultimately become mayor for the City of LA. Fun fact: Enrique loves to run! |
| Fantayjah currently serves as a board member for an organization called Qualified, which is dedicated to offering career development and occupational therapy to survivors of crime and women at risk. Her vision for the future of LA is one where the safety of our youth is prioritized, and our healthcare system is well-prepared to offer trauma-informed care to crime victims and survivors. Her ultimate career goal is to establish a non-profit organization with the aim of providing computer literacy, job readiness training, as well as permanent and transitional housing for survivors and victims of trafficking. |