Marion Reynoso
From: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, April 2, 2024 11:52 PM
To: CityClerk; Karina L. Lafarga; [email protected]; Marion Reynoso; Cultural Arts Commission; Erwin Magbanua; Audrey Malone
Subject: City of Chula Vista - Cultural Arts Commission Application WARNING - This email originated from outside the City of Chula Vista. Do not click any links and do not open attachments unless you can confirm the sender.
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A new entry to a form/survey has been submitted.
Form Name: Cultural Arts Commission Application
Date & Time: 04/02/2024 11:51 PM
Response #: 48
Submitter ID: 131453
IP address:
Time to complete: 54 min., 55 sec.
Survey Details
Application for membership on the Cultural Arts Commission
1. Prefix
(0) Ms.
2. Preferred Pronoun
10)
She/Her/Hers
3. First and Last Name
Sanja Jing
4. E-mail
5. Home Address
6. City
Chula Vista
7. ZIP code
91910
8. Primary Phone
9. Secondary Phone
Not answered
10. I certify that I am a resident of the City of Chula Vista and at least 18 years of age.
When applying for a Youth Advisory member: I am a resident of the City of Chula Vista and between 16 and 22 years of age.
(0) Yes
11. How long have you been a resident of the City?
Most of my life!
12. Please click here to view the interactive map and verify your District of residency I am a resident of the following City Council district. (0) 1
13. Present employer
N/A (Student)
14. Occupation
High School Student
15. Have you ever been employed by the City of Chula Vista? (0) No
16. If you have worked for the City of Chula Vista please provide the department and dates of employment.
Chula Vista
17. Please select the seats for which you are interested and qualify: (select as many as applicable) [x] Youth Advisory Member (non-voting) - 16 to 22 years of age.
18. IF you are an artist, educator, and or possess professional qualifications and experience in disciplines of arts and cultures (see definitions of these terms below), please indicate which discipline(s) apply:
Definitions:
• Artist: A practitioner of an arts discipline (e.g. performing arts, fine arts, culinary arts, media arts or related arts disciplines)
2 • Educator:One who is credentialed in the field of the arts or one who teaches or has experience teaching one or more disciplines of the arts.
• Professional qualifications:Qualifications based upon one's body of work, one's educational background and experience in a discipline of the arts.
Not answered
19. Are you currently serving on a Chula Vista Board/Commission? (0) No
20. Which one(s)?
Not answered
21. Have you previously served on a Chula Vista Board/Commission? (0) No
22. Which ones?
Not answered
23. Per Chula Vista Municipal Code Section 2.25.030, I understand:
-If I am currently serving on a board or commission, I must resign from my current board or commission if 1 am appointed.
-I must have served at least 12 months on my current board or commission in order to be appointed to another board or commission.
(o) I have read and acknowledged the above statement.
24. Are you or have you been involved in any local, civic or community groups? (o) Yes
25. Which ones?
I am involved in our school's ASB/Student Counsel, serving as the Executive President. I'm also the founder of SoCal's biggest student-led 501(c)3 cultural nonprofit, GlobalVisioneers. GlobalVisioneers empowers our youth with cultures and self- expression through engaging language workshops, fundraisers, and cross-border pen pal exchanges. Lastly, I work with and serve local language schools and youth charity organizations such as Girls on the Run.
26. What are your principal areas of interest in our City government, and what experience or special knowledge can you bring to those areas?
The heart of our city beats through its diversity—a kaleidoscope of cultures, voices, and stories that form the richness of our community. It's in the bustling markets that echo with languages from across the world, in the vibrant festivals that paint our streets with every color imaginable, and in the quiet moments of understanding shared between people of different backgrounds. This diversity also makes it alive. My principal area of interest in our City government lies in celebrating and nurturing this cultural richness, ensuring it thrives and continues to grow in inclusivity and harmony.
Through my experiences, I've seen firsthand the transformative power of the arts and culture in bridging divides and building communities. Art has a unique way of speaking to us, teaching us, and connecting us-regardless of our origins or beliefs. By focusing on cultural arts within our city government, I hope to tap into this potential by fostering spaces where all voices are heard and valued. My dream is to see our city's diversity represented and celebrated in every corner, from public installations that tell our myriad stories to city-wide events that invite everyone to participate and appreciate the wealth of our collective heritage.
3 My journey has always been about connecting with people, learning their stories, and understanding their dreams. I hope to bring this fascination with the human experience to the role. I envision a city where cultural arts are not just an add-on but a core pillar of our community's development, where every event, program, and initiative celebrates our diversity. I'm excited about the possibility of working alongside the community to uncover new ways to celebrate our collective heritage and to create spaces where our differences are not just tolerated but are the basis of our collective strength. This role presents a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the beauty of our diversity, champion our people's voices, and ensure that our cultural landscape is as dynamic and inclusive as the community it represents.
27. If you selected one or more of the areas of discipline above, please describe your qualifications and experience. (250 words or less
Not answered
28. If you are NOT an artist, educator, and/or possess professional qualifications and experience (as described in Question 1, above), please describe your competence, knowledge, and experience in cultural arts. (250 words or less) My journey in cultural arts is marked by a passionate commitment to fostering diversity, innovation, and community engagement. As the Founder and Executive Director of Global Visioneers, I spearheaded a student-led global initiative that champions cultural understanding through language and arts education. This role enabled me to deeply appreciate how culture informs our identity and connects us across boundaries. I've successfully expanded the program nationwide, impacting over 800 youths and establishing chapters across four countries, demonstrating my ability to scale cultural initiatives and foster inclusive environments.
As the Executive President of the ASB and the Founder and President of the Entrepreneurship/Business Club at Mater Dei Catholic High School, I've organized and led numerous projects that blend cultural awareness with community service.
Notable among these was the collaborative Art Gallery Showcase with the City of Chula Vista, underlining my commitment to elevating local cultural narratives and fostering community ties through the arts.
Moreover, my involvement in diverse cultural exhibitions and performances, particularly with the Brilliant Foreign Language Education, has honed my organizational and leadership skills and deepened my understanding of artistic expressions and their importance in education and community development.
These experiences and my academic pursuits have equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of how cultural arts can be leveraged to foster global competence, innovation, and inclusive growth within communities. I plan to continue this trajectory, contributing my skills and passion to enhance and diversify our city's cultural landscape.
29. What would you hope to accomplish in the role of a Cultural Arts Commissioner? (250 words or less) In the role of a Cultural Arts Commissioner for the City of Chula Vista, my primary motivation is to cultivate an environment where the cultural arts are not just accessible but a celebrated cornerstone of our community's identity. I envision Chula Vista as a beacon of cultural diversity and inclusivity, where every resident feels represented and inspired by the city's artistic landscape.
To achieve this, I aim to support launching initiatives that bridge gaps between diverse cultural groups, fostering understanding and collaboration through the arts. I plan to introduce programs encouraging cross-cultural exchanges and collaborations, ensuring that all community voices are heard and valued. My experience organizing community-wide events, such as the Art Gallery Showcase with Mayor McCann, has shown me the power of the arts in uniting people, and I intend to expand upon these successes.
Additionally, I aspire to enhance the visibility and support of local artists and cultural organizations, creating more opportunities for them to thrive and contribute to Chula Vista's cultural vibrancy. This includes advocating for increased funding and resources, as well as developing platforms for artists to showcase their physical and digital work.
Ultimately, I aim to foster a city where culture and arts are integral to our daily lives, enriching our community experience and contributing to Chula Vista's growth as a dynamic and inclusive city. I believe we can make Chula Vista a model for cultural arts appreciation and inclusivity through strategic partnerships, innovative programming, and community engagement. :)
4 30. I understand that to be considered, I must submit a resume along with this application. 2 Page Resume pdf
31. The City understands meeting schedules and individual's availability may change. We ask that you consider the meeting schedule when submitting an application.
(o) 1 have reviewed the Cultural Arts Commission regular meeting date, time and frequency.
32. (0) 1 am familiar with the responsibilities of the Cultural Arts Commission. I attest that the information I have provided is accurate and true.
33. (o) 1 understand that this application and any documents submitted in connection with the application process are public records and may be publicly disclosed.
Thank you,
City of Chula Vista
This is an automated message generated by Granicus. Please do not reply directly to this email. 5 Sanja Jing
San Diego, CA | ZIP CODE: 91913
Email: Phone:
EDUCATION
Mater Dei Catholic High School, Chula Vista, CA
Expected Graduation: June 2025
• GPA: 3.96 (Unweighted), 4.54 (Weighted)
• Merit Scholarship Recipient: $9.8K each year for four years at school, valued at $39,200 in total; awarded exclusively to top 5% percentile HSPT (High School Placement Test) test takers • Member: NSHSS, NHS, CSF (Seal Bearer)
Academic Excellence Awards: Freshman & Sophomore Years
• Academy of Science with Honors: Inducted in Sophomore Year Significant Projects: Solar-Powered Sustainable Earth Bench, Partnered Blood Drives (3X a year with San Diego Blood Bank), Sea Bass in the Classroom Program
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Marketing Ambassador - Amerigo Global
• Year-round intern (1 of 800+ chosen) at Amerigo Education, an private, educational company specializing in education equality, culture immersion, and inclusion programs for all students around the globe.
Tasked with monthly projects promoting diverse school bodies and campuses around NA, facilitated conversions and meetings with the head representatives.
Created community highlights, school tours, content marketing, live, virtual panel discussions, & more!
Top intern of the month 3X; Content garnering over 10,000+ views across various social media platforms, and expanded outreach into European and African audiences.
Founder & CEO - Medibridge; Student-led Entrepreneurship Project • Worked with youth across the US and Canada in a team of 4 to create an Al chatbot software that provides accurate medical translations and connects refugees and immigrant families to real-time human interpreters for free of cost.
• Facilitated conversations with licensed doctors and medical institutions to develop this product, partnering with over 10+ Kaiser Permanente branches to beta test project and software • Created a survey that received >1,000 responses to validate this product. • Presented at the Global Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge North American Division 2nd Prize Winner, Most Popular Team Award
LEADERSHIP & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Gold, President's Volunteer Service Award
• Highest-level nationally recognized service award for age group, completing over 250 hours of service.
Student of the Year (2023)
• Recognized by the largest Southern California Chinese Magazine for outstanding service and character, this prestigious award included a two-page feature highlighting my community contributions and personal attributes.
Founder and President - Global Visioneers, certified 501(c)(3) Nonprofit • A student-led global initiative empowering youth with global languages and cultures, supplying over 6 languages of focus: English, Spanish, French, Mandarin, Tagalog, Japanese, Korean Grew from a team of 4 to over 200 student leaders around the nation! • Built partnerships with various educational organizations and school districts, as well as other international charity nonprofits such as Orbis International or Make-A-Wish • Facilitating various language-themed community workshops online and in person, interscholastic pen-pal exchanges, and fundraisers around SoCal, servicing 600+ youth in half a year of operations, and establishing 10 school chapters.
Executive President and Class Representative - ASB
• Executive President (11th), 4-member team, elected by teacher/faculty, the only junior chosen through an interview process among a handful of juniors and senior applicants.
Class Vice-President (9-10th): enhancing student engagement and school spirit; I actively worked on initiatives to increase inclusivity and celebrate diversity, establishing the first multiethnic student union. Also involved in improving communication between students and administration, leading to more responsive and student-centered school policies. • Managed and hosted a successful annual recycling contest in collaboration with five other HSs around SD, raising over $1200 for charity and promoting environmental awareness.
TACSC Representative - The Association of Catholic Student Councils • Student leader for TACSC, a nonprofit Catholic leadership organization based in California whose mission is to develop moral leaders who positively impact the world. • Coordinates monthly TASC (Catholic Youth Association for Leadership) conferences as a student leader, where we supplied and invited low-income middle school students (over 600 annually) from all around San Diego County to come together on school campuses for hands-on activities and presentations on leadership and teamwork, as well as fostering self-expression and growth.
Represented the region in the monthly student leaders conferences around Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County, and Arizona.
Volunteer & Program Leader - Brilliant Foreign Language Education • Since middle school, long-time student volunteer at Brilliant Foreign Language Education, a local language academy, actively participating in its community culture shows and performances ranging from spoken word poetry, dances, and singing.
• Emceed every event and assisted the institution's free summer culture immersion programs, providing free music lessons for children.
• Organized a significant Lunar New Year performance at SeaWorld, showcasing over 100 students in an instrumental showcase of East Asian tunes.
WRITING/ARTS
Editor-in-Chief - The Gauntlet, School's Official Publication • Led the school's publication to win 1st place at the San Diego Fair twice, engaging in photography and interviews, representing the student body, and highlighting community stories.
New York Times Global Contest 2X Winner
• Participated in official NYT summer reading, narrative, and editorial contests, submitting entries and narratives about post-pandemic global policy to statement pieces on appreciating childhood cultures and backgrounds.
Head Commissioner - Chinese Association of Southern California • Monthly student journalist contributing articles on activism and Chinese-American issues and news.