From: [email protected]
To: CityClerk; Karina L. Lafarga; Amanda Angulo; Cultural Arts Commission; Audrey Malone Subject: City of Chula Vista - Cultural Arts Commission Application Date: Monday, June 30, 2025 9:07:10 PM
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A new entry to a form/survey has been submitted.
Form Name: Cultural Arts Commission Application
Date & Time: 06/30/20259:06 PM
Response #: 58
Submitter ID: 140345
IP address:
Time to complete: 38 min., 4 sec.
Survey Details
Application for membership on the Cultural Arts Commission
1. Prefix
(0) N/A
2. Preferred Pronoun
10)
She/Her/Hers
First and Last Name
Maria Echevarria
4. E-mail
Home Address
6. City
Chula Vista
7. ZIP code
91910
8. Primary Phone
9. Secondary Phone
Not answered
10. I certify that l 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?
7 years
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) 2
13. Present employer
N/A
14. Occupation
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.
Not answered
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)
• 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.
[x] Performing Arts
19. Are you currently serving on a Chula Vista Board/Commission? (o) No
20. Which one(s)?
Not answered
21. Have you previously served on a Chula Vista Board/Commission? (o) No
22. Which ones?
Not answered
23. Per Chula Vista Municipal Code Section 2.25.030, 1 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?
Chula Vista Womans Club, San Diego 350 (Youth4Climate), Hilltop High Schools Rotary Club
26. What are your principal areas of interest in our City government, and what experience or special knowledge can you bring to those areas?
My principal areas of interest in Chula Vista's City government is the Cultural Arts section and the more political aspects of the City government as well, specifically public policy. In regards to the Cultural Art Section, I can definitely say I have a lot of experience that I can bring to the area, as l am not only a Ballet Folklorico dancer, but I also plan to major in Spanish Literature after high school. As a Ballet Folklorico dancer, I have learned that culture is not only about the art, but also about belonging. I can definitely say, from personal experience, how cultural arts can not only affect an individual but also the community as a whole, and how art itself can bring strength, unity and belonging to a community. In terms of my interest for the more public policy side of things I can also say I have a lot of experience. During my freshman year of high school, I created a website that serves as a directory for Hispanic and Latinx communities that may need legal aid or assistance, the directory including contacts to lawyers from various fields, ranging from immigration to family law. During my sophomore year, I landed an internship at a law office whose main focus is family law. That same year, I became a volunteer and member of YouthVOil, which is a community organization meant to advocate for environmental justice. In YouthvOil there is a legislative branch, which I am also a member of, and in the legislative branch our job is to contact California Legislators and Representatives to spread awareness about environmental bills that are currently in the Assembly or Senate. Overall, I can definitely say I have not only personal experience but also professional experience that I could bring to Chula Vista's City Government.
27. If you selected one or more of the areas of discipline above, please describe your qualifications and experience. (250 words or less)
My experience with Performing Arts has been more than just art. As a performer of Ballet Folklorico for Hilltop High School and becoming a board member of the folklorico program, I can definitely say I have not only witnessed the importance of art in our community but also how cultural arts can change our community and most importantly our belonging. My job as a board member has been to plan performances, bring effective input to important decisions and bring clear communication between the student body and our instructor. For our Folklorico program we don't usually hold tournaments and such, however, we have our annual School District concert in which highly selected individuals can only attend. I am grateful to say that I was selected to attend this past year, which allowed me to connect with so many other students from various schools, this experience only bringing me closer to my culture and allowing me to gain more professional experience as a dancer.
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)
Not answered
29. What would you hope to accomplish in the role of a Cultural Arts Commissioner? (250 words or less) What I hope to accomplish in the role of a Cultural Arts Commissioner is to bring more awareness about the importance of cultural arts and how cultural arts can change our community. As a first generation Mexican immigrant who moved from Mexico City to Chula Vista, I can say that I am more than grateful to have this city welcome me with open arms as an immigrant. I was beyond lucky and grateful to have found the Ballet Folklorico program offered at my school, which has allowed me to not only have a little piece of my home country and culture with me, but has also contributed to my sense of identity and my belonging in my community. Performing and becoming a board member of Hilltop High Schools Folklorico program has allowed me to see the importance of culture and belonging to our community. To be able to express yourself, your identity, your culture and your customs is a blessing that unfortunately not a lot of communities have, and to be able to foster this and grow it, specially for those who are under upsetting circumstances and cannot visit their home countries, to be able to have their culture reflected on their community is something that would not only allow them to be more involved and reflected in their community but it would also impact all of us and grow our sense of belonging as a whole.
30. I understand that to be considered, I must submit a resume along with this application.
Pink Black & White Minimalist Photo High School Resume.PNG
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) I have reviewed the Cultural Arts Commission regular meeting date, time and frequency.
32. (o) I am familiar with the responsibilities of the Cultural Arts Commission. I attest that the information I have provided is accurate and true.
33. (o) I understand that this application and any documents submitted in connection with the application process are public records and may be publicly disclosed.
34. Where did you hear about this vacancy?
(0) Chula Vista Library
Thank you,
City of Chula Vista
This is an automated message generated by Granicus. Please do not reply directly to this email.
MARIA
ECHEVARRIA
HIGH SCHOOL/SOPHOMORE
ABOUT ME
Hello! My name is Maria Echevarria, a
current high school sophomore graduating in
2027. I was born and raised in Mexico City,
which makes me a fluent speaker of the EDUCATION
Spanish Language. Despite me being a high
school student, l am looking forward to 2023 - High School Student starting my professional career and excited Hilltop High School - Grade 10 (current) for what the future holds.
PROJECTS AWARDS
San Diego County Academic Award - 2024
Website Developing - 2024 to present
Academic Decathlon - Grade 10
Created an online website to inform about
affordable attorneys for those in need.
Valedictorian - 2023
Small Business - 2023 to 2024
Hilltop Middle School - Grade 8
Created and sold ribbon flower
bouquets
VOLUNTEERING
SKILLS
Rosebank Elementary School - 2024 to present
• 100% bilingual, excellence in speaking
Volunteering at seasonal events
both in Spanish and English
• Excellence in using Microsoft Word, Chula Vista Woman's Club - 2024 to present PowerPoint, Excel Volunteering at seasonal events and
• Able to get customers their orders on gatherings
time
• Performing highly in competitive or fast-
INTERESTS
paced environments
• Following exact procedures and directions I am a Ballet Folklorico dancer, both in school • Able to lead and take charge when its and outside of school. I was a Junior Varsity needed Beach Volleyball player my first year of high
school. I am involved in my schools Mexican
• Active listening and clear communication
Student Club, California Scholarship
CONTACT Federation, my schools Rotary club and
Academic Decathlon.