Youth Advisory Commission Applications — Fremont City Council, September 12, 2023

Rev 1/18 AZ
Community Services Department
3300 Capitol Ave., Bldg., B
P.O. Box 5006, Fremont, CA 94538
510.494.4344 | [email protected] | www.fremont.gov

Return Application to: City Clerk’s Office
3300 Capitol Ave., Bldg., A
Fremont, CA 94538
Or to: [email protected]

Date submitted: April 5th 2023

Application for Youth Advisory Commission

Name: Samhita Balakrishnan

Address:

Birthdate: November 30 2006 Age:16 Sex: F E-mail address:

Telephone: School: Irvington High School Grade:11

Demographic Information:

Ethnicity:
□ American Indian or Alaskan Native □ Chinese
□ Black or African American □ White
□ Afghan □ Vietnamese
□ Mexican □ Filipino
□ Indian □ Pakistani

□ Other Asian origin: ________________ (write-in optional) □ Other African origin: _______________ (write-in optional) □ Other Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin: __________ (write-in optional)

Gender:
□ Male □ Prefer to self-identify
□ Female □ Prefer not to say

Language(s) Spoken: English, Tamil

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Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission?

I want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commisio n to help evoke a sense of change amongst the youth in our city. As a teenager, I can relate to many of the issues that youth in Fremont go through. I believe that serving on this commission will give me the opportunity to network and collaborate with peop le that can help change the community. I especially want to focus on mental health and help advance my initiatives to help i mprove mental health support in Fremont schools. I want to be able to work with peers of my own qualifications and interests to hel p better the city of Fremont. I think this will be a valuable experience for me because I will learn how to communicate and w ork with people that may or may not have different ideas than I do. I will be able to build my team working skills, help work with a group of people for the same cause.

What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize a nd publicize this event?

Fremont teens face many problems in their life, one especially being mental health issues. Throughout this incredibly crucial time in their lives, many teens find themselves overwhelmed through everything they need to accomplish. In 2019, approximately 1 in 9 young adults reported seriously considering taking their own lives. This amount is diabolical because high schools should especially have resources to help their students, because of the fact that these 4 years are so stressful. I propose to create a survey, which aims to collect data to understand teen’s needs, gaps, and challenges. This survey should take only about 10-15 minutes to complete, and should have not too wordy questions or answer choices, as teens’ attention spans are pretty low. I want this survey to be quick and easy so more people can do it. The results from this survey can better help us understand what is causing teens to feel this way and if they have someone to help them.

For example, when asking if students have someone they can talk to, or who they talk to, we can understand that part of the reason why teens feel like this is because they don’t have someone to talk to or are talking to the wrong people. In most cases, schools do not have a peer resource center and therapists are not very accessible. Even with the little amount of support that we do have, many stud ents do not know about it due to poor advertising. In addition to this, most students do not have a trusted adult on campus and school doesn’t do a good job of making sure students are feeling comfortable. I think that I can publicize this survey by sendin g it out to schools in the Fremont area, and working with the Youth Advisory Commision to further develop initiatives based on the results of this survey.

What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life?

Three aspects of my i dentity are being a hard worker, being extremely organized, and recognizing that breaks are important. One of the activities I do that expresses my identity best is Indian classical dance. I have been doing Bharatanatyam since I was 6 years old, and the pr eparation for my Arangetram has greatly taught me the importance of hard work. My Arangetram, which is a performance that culminated in what I’ve learned in the past 10 years, has taught me that sometimes not everything comes easily. D ance has been relativ ely easier than most things for me because I have a deep passion for it. However, preparation for this Arangetram was incredibly difficult, and I had to deal with the frustrations every single day when my teacher would tell me I’m doi ng something wrong. N o matter what I did, it seemed like I would never be able to get anything right. After hours of practice for months, I finally felt confident in myself and my dancing capability. When I stepped on that stage for my performance, I had n ever felt prouder of myself. I also believe that being organized is extremely important in order to be successful. When I compare myself to my life when I am organized and when I am not organized, I can see a huge difference. For example, when I plan out m y events and school work, it gets done correctly, quickly, and on time. However, when I procrastinate, I observe that my work will still get done, but I am not satisfied with it in the end and it is usually incomplete and incorrect. Being able to organize my time wisely is something that I have grown to learn over the years through many of my experiences. Finally, it is crucial to take breaks.

Your mind will not work effectively unless you give it a rest, which is something I have learned through various th ings. For instance, my doctor tells me to take a 5 minute break after doing work on electronics for prolonged periods of time, just so that I can come back refreshed and ready to go. I also don’t want to get burnt out while working, or I won’t be able to produce the best work, so I make sure that I let my mind rest. Learning how to be extremely productive can only happen if you remember to let yourself rest. Instead of it being a waste of time, it is rather a time for you to reflect on everything you did, and then relax before starting something else. These three aspects shape my identity because they help me benefit as a person in everything that I do.

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Create and answer your own question.

Question: What is a pressing problem we face today that you'd like to do something abou t and why?

Water scarcity is a huge problem in the modern world, and it must be tackled immediately. Lack of access to clean water is simply not being able to obtain the water you need. For some people, this means having a water supply but no means of infrastructure to actually use it. It can mean their water supply is compromised, and in other cases, people just do not have water, or cannot afford it. Currently 2.1 billion people lack access to available, safe water at home. This number is appalling to me because there are only 7 billion people in the world, and about 30% of them don’t have water. In addition to this, nearly one million people die each year from water scarcity. This greatly disturbs me because I never really thought that the situation was this bad. Water is a basic necessity for survival, so it should be a human right for all. I would like to be a part of a project that would be able to give people the water sources they need, particularly helping people get their infrastructure. I can adv ocate for people to start saving more water, or raising funds for charity. There are many things that can be done to mitigate this issue, such as making citizens more aware of it, so they begin to develop responsibility in themselves and take action. This was done in Melbou rne, Australia, and worked very well. Furthermore, private groups such as Blood:Water in Africa, have created toilets and hand -washing stations. If people have more access to clean water sources, then they will be less likely to transmit or spread waterbor ne diseases. I believe that if every nation had access to infrastructure like this, public water sources and filtration systems, people’s lives will greatly improve .

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Community Services Department
3300 Capitol Ave., Bldg., B
P.O. Box 5006, Fremont, CA 94538
510.494.4344 | [email protected] | www.fremont.gov

Return Application to: City Clerk’s Office
3300 Capitol Ave., Bldg., A
Fremont, CA 94538
Or to: [email protected]

Date submitted:7/27/2023

Application for Youth Advisory Commission

Name: Nyshita Chalasani

Address:

Birthdate: 10/14/2007 Age: 15 Sex: M / F E-mail address:

Telephone: School: Mission San Jose High School Grade: 11

Demographic Information:

Ethnicity:
□ American Indian or Alaskan Native □ Chinese
□ Black or African American □ White
□ Afghan □ Vietnamese
□ Mexican □ Filipino
□ Indian □ Pakistani

Gender:
□ Male □ Prefer to self-identify
□ Female □ Prefer not to say

Language(s) Spoken: English, Spanish, Telugu

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Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission?

As an aspiring member of the commission, my driving passion lies in making a meaningful impact on the mental health and well-being of Fremont's youth. The critical issue of mental health affects countless individuals, particularly teenagers, and I am determined to advocate for increased support and resources in our community. Additionally, I am deeply committed to promoting neurodiversity, ensuring that young people with different neurological conditions are embraced and empowered in every aspect of our society.

Personally, I have ADHD and a family member is diagnosed with Autism, so I have been involved in Neurodiversity from elementary school to now. Currently, I volunteer as a tutor for neurodivergent individuals, offering assistance in various subjects. Moreover, I am an active participant in a program at my school, where I regularly visit a neurodivergent classroom, providing companionship and support to the students.

In addition to my existing involvement, I have some ideas that I believe would streng then the support for neurodiversity in our community. Firstly, I propose collaborating with police and fire departments to implement specialized program/training for first responders when dealing with neurodiverse individuals during emergencies. This train ing will equip them with the necessary knowledge and strategies to handle situations with sensitivity and effectiveness. Secondly, I advocate for a comprehensive mental health education program in schools, including workshops, seminars, and open discussion s.

Although at my school we currently have SEL learning, most students do not take it seriously and do school work during this time. I would love to find a way to introduce mental health to students in a fun and engaging way. Lastly, I propose t o help create a sensory space in classrooms for not only neurodivergent but also neurotypical individuals to destress and improve their overall health and experience at school.

By serving on the commission, I am confident that I can effectively advocate for these ideas and collaborate with other members to create meaningful change. My dedication to mental health advocacy and neurodiversity, combined with my experiences and involvement, will enable me to be an active voice for the youth of Fremont.

What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event?

Problem: Fremont's teens are facing an increasing prevalence of mental health challenges, leading to heightened stress, anxiety, and feelings of isolation. Academic pressure, social expectations, and the complexities of adolescence contribute to a growing mental health crisis among the youth in our community.

Proposed Event: Mental Health Awareness Fair

Event Description: The Mental Health Awareness Fair aims to create a supportive and educational environment for Fremont teens to learn about mental health, coping strategies, and available resources. The f air will feature various booths and activities hosted by local mental health organizations, professionals, and student clubs.

Event Activities(specific to mental health - could be other fun events):
- Workshops and Seminars: Conducted by mental health professionals, school counselors, and experts in the field, these sessions will cover a wide range of topics, including stress management techniques, mindfulness practices, coping strategies, and building resilience. Interactive discussions will encourage open conversations about mental health challenges and promote understanding and empathy.
- Creative Outlets: The festival will feature art exhibits, poetry slams, and music performances, providing an expressive platform for teens to share their emotions and experiences. Artistic expression has proven therapeutic benefits and can serve as a powerful tool for emotional release and connection.

Event Organization:
- Collaborate with local mental health organizations and professionals to secure participation in th e fair. - Engage school counselors and teachers to encourage student involvement and support.

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- Form a planning committee comprising diverse youth voices to ensure the event is inclusive and relevant.

Event Publicity:

1. Social Media Campaign: Engaging and visually appealing graphics, videos, and posts will be strategically shared on popular platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat targeting Fremont's teen demographic.

2. School Outreach: Involves distributing informative flyers and posters along with scho ol newsletter features promoting the festival.

3. Community Engagement: Local newspapers, radio stations, and community bulletin boards will highlight the event, drawing attention from parents, community members.

What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life?

1. Neurodiversity Advocate: As someone with ADHD and a family member diagnosed with Autism, my identity as a neurodiversity advocate plays a pivotal role in shaping my outlook on life. Through personal experiences and interactions, I have come to deeply appreciate the value of diverse perspectives and the importance of creating inclusive spaces for all individuals. This aspect of my identity drives me to advocate for understanding, acceptance, and support for all individuals in our community, fostering a society that celebrates differences and embraces the strengths of every individual.

2. Empathy: My identity as a compassionate person profoundly influences my outlook on life. Having encountered my own mental health challenges and witnessed the struggles of others in my own community, I recognize the transformative power of empathy. I believe that empathy is the foundation for positive change, promoting kindness, and encouraging meaningful contributions to the well-being of others and our community as a whole.

3. Resilience: Life's challenges have taught me the value of determination, adaptability, and a positive mindset. Instead of being discouraged by setbacks, I view them as opportunities for growth and learning. This aspect of my identity motivates me to stay focused on my goals, embrace change, and persist in the pursuit of making a meaningful impact in the lives of others and within the community.

Create and answer your own question.

Question: How can embracing diversity and inclusivity benefit a community and its youth?

Embracing diversity and inclusivity offers a myriad of benefits to both a community and its youth, fostering a stronger and more compassionate society. Embracing diversity exposes individuals, including youth, to different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. This exposure nurtures understanding and empathy, as we can learn to appreciate the uniqueness of others and recognize the shared humanity that connects them all. Understanding diverse experiences cultivates a sense of compassion and reduces prejudice and discrimination within the community. When a community values diversity, it becomes a hub of creativity and innovation. With people from various backgrounds working together, new ideas, approaches, and solutions emerge. For youth, this exposure to diverse perspectives encourages them to think outside the box, embrace new challenges, and be open to unconventional solutions. Inclusive environments expose youth to different viewpoints and ways of life, helping them become more adaptable and resilient individuals. When young people interact with peers from diverse backgrounds, they learn to navigate through change and challenges with an open mind. This adaptability equips them with valuable life skills that will serve them well as they transition into adulthood. Schools and community programs that celebrate diversity provide opportunities for students to engage in meaningful dialogues, learn about global issues, and appreciate cultural heritage. This exposure broadens their horizons and fosters a love for lifelong learning. Youth growing up in such an environment witness the power of unity, regardless of differences, and are more likely to carry this mindset into their adult lives. This, in turn, strengthens the fabric of the communi ty and fosters a sense of belonging for all its members.

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In conclusion, embracing diversity and inclusivity creates a nurturing environment that benefits both the community and its youth. By promoting understanding, sparking creativity, and building resilience, an inclusive community lays the groundwork for a brighter and more harmonious future.

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Community Services Department
3300 Capitol Ave., Bldg., B
P.O. Box 5006, Fremont, CA 94538
510.494.4344 | [email protected] | www.fremont.gov

Return Application to: City Clerk’s Office
3300 Capitol Ave., Bldg., A
Fremont, CA 94538
Or to: [email protected]

Date submitted: _________________________

Application for Youth Advisory Commission

Name: __________Janani Harish______________________________________________________________________

Address:___

Birthdate:_____ _________ Age:___16____ Sex: M / F E-mail address:_ ______

Telephone:____ ______ School:____American High School_____________________ Grade:____11____

Demographic Information:

Ethnicity:
□ American Indian or Alaskan Native □ Chinese
□ Black or African American □ White
□ Afghan □ Vietnamese
□ Mexican □ Filipino
Indian □ Pakistani

Gender:
□ Male □ Prefer to self-identify
Female □ Prefer not to say

Language(s) Spoken: ___English and Spanish_______________

Rev 1/18 AZ
Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? I would love to serve on the Fremont Youth Advisory Committee because I believe in the power of youth voices and their ability to make positive changes in our community. As a young person myself, I understand the unique challenges and concerns that we as youths face in today's world and, in particular, in the city of Fremont.

I am hoping that by being a part of the committee, I can actively contribute to decision-making processes that directly impact our lives. I am passionate about representing the interests and needs of my fellow young citizens. I want to advocate for issues that matter to us, such as education, employment opportunities, mental health support, recreational activities, and green development. Serving on the committee would provide a platform to voice these concerns and work collaboratively with other dedicated i ndividuals to find practical solutions. I also believe that diversity and inclusion are essential in decision-making. As a member of the committee, I can ensure that diverse perspectives are taken into account, amplifying the voices of marginalized groups and promoting equity in our city.

Overall, my goal is to contribute my energy, ideas, and commitment to making our city Fremont a better place for all young people. I am excited about the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue, propose initiatives, and work together with community leaders to shape a brighter future for our youth.

What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event?
Mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, and stress, are prevalent among teenagers. Coping with academic pressure, social expectations, and personal challenges can take a toll on their well -being. Social Media and other newer means of communications are bringing in unique challenges related to mental health, body image issues and bullying.

I would organize an event called "Mind Matters: Nurturing Teen Mental Health" wherein the primary focus would be to reach out to mental health professionals, counselors, therapists, and educators who specialize in adolescent mental health to give informative presentations, interactive workshops, and Q&A sessions covering topics such as stress management, coping skills, building resilience, fostering healthy relationships, and self-care practices.

As for publicity, I would establish event pages on popular social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. I will share engaging posts, graphics, and teasers about the event and encourage followers to spread the word and invite their friends. I will also coordinate with schools in the area to promote the event by sharing event details with principals, counselors, and teachers who can inform students and parents through school newsletters, websites, or bulletin boards. I will also try and leverage the local city media to reach a wider audience.

What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life? The three areas of my identity I would choose are:

1. My cultural Background: My cultural upbringing has played a significant rol e in shaping my outlook on life. Most of my beliefs, perspectives, and worldview come from my cultural background, which is full of giving back to the community, excellent family support with strong foundations in education and democracy.

2. Personal Beliefs: My personal beliefs and values, including religious or spiritual views, ethical principles, and moral frameworks, do have a major impact on how I perceive the world around me. These core values have often guided me in my decision-making.

3. Life Expe riences: My personal experiences, including significant life events, such as my ACL injury and subsequent surgery, along with successes, failures, and challenges, have all had a profound impact in shaping my outlook in life.

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Create and answer your own question.

Today’s teens are tomorrow’s leaders. What is one thing you would do to help shape tomorrow’s leaders? One major question that I often grapple with is "What do I want to become in my life?" As any other teen, I often think about and constantly question my passions, interests, and how they align with my long -term goals. I often talk to my parents, brother, counsellors and mentors to understand my own strengths, weaknesses, and unique qualities better with the hope that understanding th is will help me plan better with the hope of building a strong foundation for my personal growth and decision -making. On a professional note, there are countless possibilities for the career path one can choose from. We all know what doctors, engineers, lawyer, pharmacist do but if you take psychology as an example did you know that there are more than 16 subspecialties. As the city has a much wider access, I often think that it would be great to have an avenue where we could meet experts in the field to tell us the various possibilities.

JananiHarish
ComputerSkills● ProficientatMicrosoftOfficeSuite● CertifiedHTMLDeveloper ObjectiveHonorsstudentwithexcellentacademicandextracurricularsuccessescoupledwith excellenttimemanagementskillsseekingvolunteeropportunityatyouresteemedorganization.

Academic–CoursesAmericanHighSchoolAPCoursesGrade9● APEnvironmentalScience(SelfStudy)Grade10● APSpanishLanguage(Score:5)● APEuropeanHistory(Score:5)Grade11(Current)● APEnglishLanguage● APCalculusBC● APPsychology● APChemistry● APBiology UniversityofCalifornia,BerkeleyAcademictalentdevelopmentprogram(ATDP)2018-2020● IntroductiontoBiotechnology● IntroductiontoChemistry● FoundationsofAlgebra● APPsychology WorkExperience/internshipApril2022-Present MartialArtsinstructorandofficesupportErnieReyesWestCoastWorldMartialArtsJuly2022–June2023 StudentIntern–Presentsresearchpapers.StanfordNeuroscienceJClubMay2021–Present StudentInternUCSFDepartmentofSurgery,GardnerLabandThoracicOncologyLabJune–July2022 SummerInternshipStanfordUniversityComprehensiveNeuroscienceProgramJune–July2022 ShadowingDoctorsandobservingcasesinORUCSFDepartmentofSurgeryJune–July2020 TeachingAssistant–Math(Algebra)UniversityofCalifornia,Berkeley,ATDPProgram ServicetoCommunityAugust2022–present HighSchoolVolunteerWashingtonHospitalBirthingCenterandGeneralEventsMay2020–present Co-Founder,WebdesignerandTreasurerReadySetLearn–Spanish,Math,English&publicspeaking tutoringservice.Generatedanddonated~$4000towardschildreneducationanddisasterrelief.August2015-present. StudentVolunteerAnnualUCSFTransplantSurgeryPediatricPicnic AwardsErnieReyesWestCoastWorldMartialArtsTournaments● Nationaltournament2021andBlackBeltTestDedicatedServiceawardforexceptionalperformanceandservicetoMartialArts● Nationaltournament20203rdplaceaward● Regionaltournaments2017-19Two1 st
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3300 Capitol Ave., Bldg., B
P .O. Box 5006, Fremont, CA 94538
510.494.4344 | [email protected] | www.fremont.gov
Return Application to: City Clerk’s Office
3300 Capitol Ave., Bldg., A
Fremont, CA 94538
Or to: [email protected]
Date submitted: _________________________
Application for Youth Advisory Commission
Name: Mithil Patil
Address:

Birthdate: December 18, 2006 Age: 16 Sex: M / F E-mail address:

T elephone: School: BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Grade: 11 Demographic Information:

Ethnicity:
□ American Indian or Alaskan Native □ Chinese
□ Black or African American □ White
□ Afghan □ Vietnamese
□ Mexican □ Filipino
□ Indian □ Pakistani
□ Other Asian origin: ________________ (write-in optional) □ Other African origin: _______________ (write-in optional) □ Other Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin: __________ (write-in optional) Gender:
□ Male □ Prefer to self-identify
□ Female □ Prefer not to say
Language(s) Spoken: English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarat, Gujar, Spanish Rev 1/18 AZ

Whydoyouwant toserveontheYouthAdvisoryCommission?
I have been fortunate to have access to many resources in my childhood that have allowed me to reach theposition I amintoday. Thislonglist of resourcesincludesindividual peopleinmylife, theprogramsthat I havebeenapartof, and institutions I was blessed to attend. Together, theseresourcesfosteredanenvironment for metogrowandshapemyself into the person I amtoday. Unfortunately, not everyonehasthesameopportunitiesthat I hadandI believethat theYouth Advisory Commission is a group in a unique position to provide said opportunities to youth all across Fremont. Iwant to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission topushforwardtheinterestsof theyoungpeopleof thiscityandcreateacommunityenvironment that encouragesgrowthandinclusionfor mygenerationandthosetocomeinthefuture.

What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize andpublicizethisevent? Today, 25%of 15-year-olds are unable to name what they want to be doing when theyare30, anincreaseof 11percentage points in the last 18 years (OECD). But, it seems that whenever youaskayounger child, theyhaveit figuredout and their sights set on being a doctor, policeman, fireman, or maybe even an astronaut. We are doing somethingwrong and we face a shortage of effective career informationfor youthat thisage. Toaddressthisissue, I wouldproposean event called "Career ExplorationDay." Thisevent wouldbeopentoall Fremont teensandwouldprovidethemwiththeopportunity to learn about different career options. There would be speakers from a variety of industries, each withexperience in many of Fremont’s rich career opportunities. Additionally, there would be hands-on activities that wouldallow teens to explore their interests further, and more importantly, find a supportive community of people just like themand people offering to help solvetheissue. Topublicizetheevent, I wouldencouragelocal employerstorelayinformationabout the event and the opportunities to their employees, maybe even incentivizing themto volunteer as speakers. Toattract teens, I would work with many of the local youth organizations that I haveinternedandvolunteeredat inthepast.These organizations have many contacts with schools, parents, andaboveall, teensthemselves, andthesecontactscanbeusedtomarket andpublicizetheevent.

What arethree(3) aspectsof your identitythat shapeyour outlookonlife? Since I was a kid, I have always been fascinated by science, technology, engineering, and math, and I havealways loved learning new things. From participating in science fairs and engineering competitions to teaching codingclasses and mentoring competitive robotics teams, STEMhas been an integral part of my childhood thus far. But, whatused to bejust mypassionisalsoatool that hasopenedmanydoorsfor me. STEMhashelpedmediscover futurecareerpathsandmost importantly, hashelpedmeset goalsthat encouragemetoalwayskeeppushing.I believe that everyone is creative and unique in their way. Some are artistic and some are entertaining, but Ibelieve my creativity is expressed in innovation. I have a knack for viewing problems froma different point of viewandusing that view to solve those problems more efficiently and effectively. This has pushed me to constantly seek outchallenges, just to find a solution. When I see a problem, my mind instantlyasksthequestion, “Howcanthisproblembesolved?” Now, I work with struggling local businesses to help them solve their problems by using my powerful skillset.Most importantly though, my creative idea generation has set meupfor afuturewhereI cannowfaceanychallengethatcomesmyway.One thing that I amscared of is a lack of purpose. It isoftenthat I thinktomyself, “Why?” It’saquestionthat hasshaped howI live my life and pushed me to give back to my community, both today andinthefuture. Additionally, it hasled me to avoid doing things without meaning andpurposeandhelpedmeplanfor afuturethat hasanimpact onnot justmyself, but thisworld.

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Createandanswer your question.

Question: What isoneof your interestsor passionsandhowhasit shapedyou? Answer:Basketball is a sport I have been playing since I was in second grade. Since then, I have played in variousformats, at different competitive levels, with many different coaches and players, from all different backgrounds.Basketball has forced me tolearnhowtoeffectivelyworkwithothers, nomatter howdifferent myteammatesmaybefromme. Spending somuchtimeandbuildingabondwithpeopleexposedtodifferent environmentshasalsohelpedmebetterunderstand other people’s thinking and reasoning, creating what I call my“yes, but no” philosophy. Aspart of thisthoughtprocess, whenever I disagree with someoneI trymybest tounderstandtheother person’spoint of viewandwhytheyaresayingwhat theyaresayingsothat I canbetter reasonandworkwithsaidperson.

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Community Services Department
3300 Capitol Ave., Bldg., B
P.O. Box 5006, Fremont, CA 94538
510.494.4344 | [email protected] | www.fremont.gov
Return Application to: City Clerk’s Office
3300 Capitol Ave., Bldg., A
Fremont, CA 94538
Or to: [email protected]
Date submitted: _________________________
Application for Youth Advisory Commission
Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Address:__ ______________________________________________________________________ Birthdate:_________________________ Age:________ Sex: M / F E-mail address: _ Telephone:_ ________ School:_______________________________________ Grade:__________ Demographic Information:

Ethnicity:
□ American Indian or Alaskan Native □ Chinese
□ Black or African American □ White
□ Afghan □ Vietnamese
□ Mexican □ Filipino
□ Indian □ Pakistani
□ Other Asian origin: ________________ (write-in optional) □ Other African origin: _______________ (write-in optional) □ Other Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin: __________ (write-in optional) Gender:
□ Male □ Prefer to self-identify
□ Female □ Prefer not to say
Language(s) Spoken: ______________________
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Kavya Narayanan
12/04/23 14 c
Thornton Junior High School 8
Tamil, English

Whydoyouwant toserveontheyouthadvisorycommission??SinceaslongasI canremember, I’vehadanaffinitytowardscommunityservice,andoveralljusthelpingpeoplewhenI can.I’dbeeninmyelementaryschool’scommunityserviceclubsincethirdgradeuptillquarantinewhereweorganizedfundraisersinthenameofvariouscauses.Then,inseventhgrade,I joinedmyschool’sleadershipelective,andsincethenhavebeenlookingforanothermeansofgivingbacktomycommunity. BeforeI livedinFremont,I livedinanareawhereI wasmadetofeelinsecureaboutmyidentity, andatthatpointintime,I didn’thaveanyonemyagewhoI feltcouldhelpme.WhenI movedhere,allthatstopped,andI nolongerfeltashamedofmyidentity. Ayouthadvisorycommissionwouldbeadirectwaytomakeapositiveimpactonacommunitythathasmadesuchapositiveimpactonme.

What’saproblemFremont teensface?Awaytosolveit?Howwouldyouadvertiseit?Mentalhealthandwellbeingisaverytabootopicinminority, specificallyAsianhouseholds,butthatdoesn’t makeitaproblemwe’reexemptfrom.AstatisticfromtheNationalInstituteofHealthdescribingthepsychologicaldistressamongminoritiesstatesthattherewasa,“higherprevalenceofpsychologicaldistressamongtheSoutheastAsian(28.61%)andSouthAsianAmericans…(23.09%),respectively.”(paragraph13).WhenI wasyounger, I musteredupthecouragetotellmyownparentsthatI hatedmyselfandI didn’t wanttobeonthisplanetanymore.TheirreactionwastodismissitandlistallthewaysI haditeasy;thatI hadahousewithrunningwaterandfoodwhenI washungry. ThatI hadabookshelffullofanybookIneededandtwoparentswholovedme.Inallfairness,I wasallof10yearsoldandI camefrommoreprivilegethantheycouldhaveeverimaginedaskids,butdiscountingmyemotionsandissuesmademefeelliketherewasnosafespaceforme.LikeI shouldresentmyself,andbeashamedofmyself.AsstatedinanarticlebytheCenterforDiseaseControldetailingincreasesinsadnessandexposuretoincreasesinviolenceamongteenagegirlsandLGBTQ+youth,“3in5girlsfeltpersistentlysadandhopeless,amarkerfordepressivesymptoms,in2021,increasingsubstantiallyfrom2011…Morethan1in4girlsreportedtheyseriouslyconsideredattemptingsuicidein2021,upsignificantlyfrom2011.Morethan1in10girlsreportedtheyattemptedsuicidein2021,alsoincreasingsignificantlyoverthedecade.”(paragraphs5and7).I haverecentlybeendiagnosedwithMajorDepressiveDisorder, withthehelpofmyparents,butittookalongtimeformyparents’viewsonmentalhealthtochange,andI anticipateitwon’t bedifferentinmanyotherminorityhouseholds.Duetothis,I proposetheCityofFremonttobringinapsychologistandpersonofcolortohelpparentsfurtherunderstandandinternalizethenotionthatmentalandphysicalhealthareequallyimportantintheirchild’slife.I wouldadvertiseitthroughworkingwitheachindividualschool’sleadershipprograms,findingwaysuniquetoeachschool,thusreachingawideraudienceofparents.Forexample,inThorntonJuniorHighSchool,I wouldusetheDailyBulletinandInfiniteCampustoadvertisethisevent,sothatwhenparentsarecheckingtheirchild’sgrades,theywillreceiveanotificationdetailingthisevent.

What 3piecesof your identityshapeyour thought process?? Myexperiences,culture,andgeneticsshapemythoughtprocess.There’snoneedforafortunetellertosaythatthethingsI amorhavebeenexposedtoimpactmychainofthought.Somethingassimpleasadinnertablediscussionwidensmyperspectivefrequently. ButmanyotherofmyexperiencesmakeupwhoI am.Forexample,I’velivedinavarietyofdifferentplaces.I wentfromaplacewherenoonestoodout,toaplacewhereI stoodoutinallthewrongways,andthenaplacewhereI stoodasthemajority. I’mtheoldestcousininmyfamilyandI’vealwaysbeenthemediatorinarguments.Inadditiontomyexperiences,myculturealsoinfluencesmythoughtprocess.Ononehand,itcreatedasenseofunitytobouncebackonwhenI wasn’t doingwell,buttodirectlycontrastthat,ittaughtmethenotionthatI’mdiscardableunlessI’mthebestofthebest,athoughtprocessthatwashardtounlearn.MycultureaffectsthelensthroughwhichI seetheworld,butnotthescopeatwhichI seeit.Inadditiontocultureandexperiences,somethingthatdirectlyaffectsmythoughtprocessismygenetics.I haveadhd,whichcausesmetostrugglewiththinkingthroughthingsandwithimpulsivity. Attimes,itcausesmetohavetroubleexpressingmythoughts,orwithunderstandingotherpeople’sthoughts.Itaffectseveryaspectofmylife,butit’salsosomethingthatshouldn’t beautomaticallylistedasasetback.Adhdisoftenlinkedwithcreativityandbeingmulti-talented,andwhileitmightbedifficulttofocusonthingsI donotwanttodo,I canactuallyhyperfocusonthingsI’dliketodo.HavingAdhd,beingimmersedinIndianculture,andexposedtoallthethingsI’vebeenexposedtoshapeanddrivemythoughtprocess.

Createandanswer your ownquestions:Whatattributesofyourselfwouldmakeyousuitableforayouthadvisorycommission?‘ Theattributesofmyselfthatmakemesuitableforayouthadvisorycommissionaremycreativity, myadaptability, andmypassionforhelpingothers.I’musedtoorganizingorcreatingactivitieswithmysisterandourcousinssuchasminiart-projects,comic-makingcontests,andscienceexperiments.I writepoetryandmyownmusic,sing,andplaytheguitarpoorly. I’vemovedaroundalotsoI’vehadtoadapttomanydifferentsurroundingsandenvironments.Butthat’salsowhyI strivetohelpothersandpushtohearallvoices.BecauseI’vehadmanyimpactfulexperiencesinthesedifferentenvironmentsthatrenderedmyvoiceinvalid,orrather,unheard-invisible.It’simportanttomethatI givebacknowthatI’minabetterplacethanI wasbefore.I havealsobeenapartofourelementarycommunityserviceclub,organizingpajamadrivesforkidswhoneededit,drivesforanimalshelters,penniesforpatients,andmore.Toconclude,mycreativity, adaptability, andpassionforhelpingothersflowintoeverydecisionImake,andwouldmakemesuitableforayouthadvisorycommission.

Y A A M I N I P U T T I
Python
Sociable/ Outgoing
Money and tIme management
Computer Literacy
Strong Communication

S K I L L S

P R O F I L E

E X P E R I E N C E
2022-2023

AT HOME TUTOR

HIPPO SWIM CLUB
Work front desk where I cover all money transaction, signups, and check people in and out every 30 minutes
Certified swim instructor, and I teach kids and adults

EXTRA CURRICULARS
National level team volleyball player
Indian classical dancer for 10 years
Lincoln Douglas and Parliament debate
HOSA club treasurer

E D U C A T I O N
Irvington High School
2022-2026

SECONDARY SCHOOL
Taught all subjects covered in school
Taught two kids at a time
Focused on STEM related subjects
2021-2023

Shrey Raju
Organized, dependable, and hardworking high school junior with a passion for law, policy, and government. Seeking to assist in relevant settings by applying knowledge from extensive experience in debate and various leadership roles.

EDUCATION
Mission San Jose High School, Junior (2022-23)
GPA: 3.97 (unweighted), 4.44 (UC: weighted & capped)
Junior Year Courses (2022-23)
➤ AP Calculus BC ➤ AP Chemistry ➤ Honors English 11
➤ AP Statistics ➤ AP French ➤ US History
The Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music - Piano
Passed Level 6 ABRSM Exam

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE - HIGH SCHOOL CLUBS
Gender Sexuality Alliance - President (2022-23)
Implemented security measures to avoid hate speech, increased awareness and educated students by hosting weekly presentations and events Speech & Debate - Treasurer (2022-23), Captain (2021-22) ● Managed club ﬁnances and fundraised over $16,000 for the club ● Founded the DisputeDebate camp and served the community by educating beginner debaters throughout the year, with many progressing to win prestigious positions in debate tournaments.

Nominal fees collected were fully used to fund the high school debate club activities and further increase the awareness and adoption.

Youth4Climate - Vice President (2022-23), Activities
Coordinator (2021-22)
● Petitioned the city government for more environment friendly policies ● Created a joint campaign with State Senate member, Aisha Wahab, to improve green awareness and partnered with nearby research facilities to collect & provide local climate data
Model United Nations - Treasurer (2021-22, 2022-23)
Managed club ﬁnances and fundraised over $3,000 for the club Food Security, Publicity O cer
Spread awareness at the school regarding issues of food insecurity SKILLS
Strong Academics
Debate
Communication
Leadership
Community Service

AWARDS
Top 16 Lincoln-Douglas (LD)
Debaters in the Nation (Tournament
of Champions, 2023)
Champion, Top Speaker -
Scarsdale Invitational 2022 (LD)
Top 4 Mid America Cup (LD)
Top 37 in the Nation - 2022
Tournament of Champions (LD)
Champion, Top Speaker - 2022
Lexington Winter Invitational
(LD)
Spelling Bee - 1st Place in
School, 11th in State (2019)
First Lego League - Qualiﬁed and
invited to World Expo (2018, 2019)
ExploraVision (Science) - National
Honorable Mention (2021-22)
Model United Nations
2023 - Honorable Mention (Santa
Clara Valley)
2021 - Top School (National),
Honorable Mention (Davis)
National Science Olympiad
2022 - Experimental Design:
1st - Bay Area, 6th NorCal
2021 - Experimental Design:
1st - Bay Area, 3rd NorCal
2021 - Water Quality:
1st Bay Area, 4th NorCal
May’2023 1/2

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE - EXTERNAL
Aisha Wahab’s CA State Senate Campaign – Logistics O cer (2022-2023) ● Assisted in maintaining paperwork/administrative tasks for student volunteers ● Campaigned and directly connected in-person with over 500 households ● Connected to over 200 households via phone banking
Fremont Debate Academy – Lead (2023)
● FDA is a debate institution that helps young children develop an interest in public speaking. ● Introduced a group of ~40 elementary school students to debate through weekly sessions. ● Volunteered as a judge for official tournaments and practice debates.

National STEM Honor Society – Intern in the Media Relations Department (2022) ● Wrote articles for the NSTEM blog about the NSTEM Society to help promote passion for science.

Online Debate Institute – Administrative O cer (2022)
● ODI is a debate camp held over the summer to give underprivileged debaters a free resource for learning and growth.
● Part of the administrative team; helped maintain logistics and run camp. ● Official employee that ran sessions, held lectures, and volunteered additional time to have one-on-one sessions with students.

Mission Speech and Debate Institute (MSDI)
● MSDI is a school-run debate camp to provide funding for Mission San Jose High School’s debate team. ● Instructor for Lincoln-Douglas Debate.

Circuit Debater
● Circuit Debater is a website that provides free resources to underserved debaters. ● Authored/Co-authored pages in the philosophy section of the website to introduce debaters to the world of philosophical debate. Below are a few sample articles written:
o https://circuitdebater .org/w/index.php/Pragmatism
o https://circuitdebater .org/w/index.php/Frivolous_Theory Shrey Raju Email: /2

Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? A Youth Advisory Commission can serve as a platform for me to voice my opinions and concerns about issues that affect my community. I’ve always been interested in local government and the impact it can have on the general quality of life of residents, that is often underestimated.

By serving on a Youth Advisory Commission, I believe I can bring fresh perspectives and ideas to the table and help bridge the gap between young people and local government.

Overall, having a Youth Advisory Commission can help create a more inclusive and responsive local government, and provide a platform for the voices of young people to be heard and taken seriously.

What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event?
One problem that Fremont teens face is a high level of stress due to often a lot of academic pressure from maybe family members and those they see around in school. I think it’s important for the betterment for our mental health to alleviate the stress by reminding students, that they don’t need to put so much pressure on themselves to do the best academically, and that while academics are important, there are other avenues in life to be successful.

While having lived in Fremont since 2016, when I was a 5th grader, and prior to that living in Cupertino. For my freshman and sophomore years of high school, my family was forced to move to England. There at the end of 10th grade you graduate from secondary schools, and you have options on what to do next. You can further your education at the secondary school, go to a community college, or even get an apprenticeships. While similar opportunities are available in the Bay Area, I don’t believe that students are aware of the opportunities available to them. I would propose an event where people from community colleges, local businesses, city officials, and places like BART which offer apprenticeships could come together in order to introduce students to all the opportunities.

To organize and publicize the event, a few steps could be taken:
•Identify key community partners: Reach out to local non-profit organizations or government agencies to identify areas of need and potential partnerships. This will help to ensure that the opportunities are aligned with community needs and have support from local leaders.
•Recruit teen participants: Advertise the event through social media, local schools, and community organizations. •Plan and prepare: Provide training and support for teen leaders to help them plan and execute the projects. This could involve meetings to help plan and prepare for the logistics of the event. •Execute the projects: On the day of the event, provide materials and supplies for the projects, and coordinate with local partners to ensure that the projects are executed smoothly. Create booths for different opportunities and maybe even have food and refreshments available.

What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life? I’ve lived in over twelve homes, three countries, three continents, and have attended over eight schools. However, I’ve lived in Fremont longer than anywhere else. I believe that my diverse experiences around the world, allows me to have an interesting perspective that not many people can offer, especially at the age of 16. Each of the three counties is a different aspect of my identity.

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1.Living in India, England, and the United States has each taught different lessons. Living in India taught me about the importance family and having a dependable support system you can rely on, and how that correlates to mental health.

2.Living in England really opened my eyes to another way of life, and a culture that I was unfamiliar with. I was forced to integrate and learn to make new friends, and taught me to open up and put myself out there, and today I am so grateful for it. Due to my putting myself out there, I’ve met some of my most favorite people in my life and have ever lasting memories attending soccer games and wearing a school uniform everyday.

3.Living in America, taught me the importance of seizing all the opportunities available to you, and that’s often how to lead a productive and enjoyable life. America has also shown me how beneficial diversity is. We are blessed to live in one of the most diverse parts of the world, and it has allowed us to innovate.

NEXT QUESTION ON NEXT PAGE
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Create and answer your own question
Question: How can we make our communities more connected and foster a greater sense of community.

Answer: Living in America is convenient, comfortable, and secure. However, we become slaves to our cars, causing us to isolate and separate ourselves from the rest of the community. We drive long distances to get to work, school, or the store. We’re hard-working people, which often leads us to forget the importance of connection and community. There is little opportunity for interaction with neighbors or strangers, and social connections were often limited to those you knew from work or school. It’s those moments you share that make your life genuinely fulfilling. The presence of green spaces and communal areas like small corner shops allow you to interact with my community, slowing life down and letting you enjoy moments with those around you.

Looking back at my time in England, my town’s design created some of my fondest memories from when my mates and I would take a quick detour on the route back home to grab a slushie from the UK equivalent of a corner shop for seventy pence. Then we would make our way towards the park, just a minute away, where we’d quickly sit on the bench and chat. The town had a character and certain charm compared to American suburbia, which can feel sterile and clean, too perfect and orderly.

I think through city planning, we need to emphasize the creation of local businesses and parks, which will create areas where people can mingle and share ideas. Currently, you have to go out of the way to interact with you community.

Our cities should be designed to foster interaction and community, leading to happier residents.

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RAHUL MALIACKAL REJEEV
Washington High School, Fremont, CA Graduate June 2024
Barclay Academy, United Kingdom, Valedictorian Class 2022 Dec 2020 - Jun 2022 SAT : 1540 ⧫ Math 800 ⧫ EBRW 740
GCSE (Exam): Math H (9), Biology A (9), Chemistry A (9), Physics A (9), English Lit (9), English Language (8), History B13 (9), Spanish H (7), Film Studies (9) AP Courses (Exam) Physics 1 (5), Comp Sci A (5), Calc BC, AP Physics C, US History

LEADERSHIP , ACTIVITIES & COMMUNITY SERVICE
Boy Scouts of America, Troop 132, Life Scout April 2017 - Present Assistant Senior Patrol Leader - Lead 80 scouts in weekly meetings March 2022 - Present and outings
Patrol Leader, Lead a group of 12 Scouts Sep 2020 - Nov 2020 T each outdoor skills; guide scouts in gaining ranks through meetings Sept 2022 - Present Webmaster, Oversaw the Troop website and publications Sept 2018 - Feb 2020 Scribe, Kept roll, attendance, and notes for weekly meetings Feb 2019 - Sept 2019 Leader Coyote Lake Camping, Led 16 Scouts for 3 days/2 nights Oct 2019 Eagle Scout Service Project, Boy Scouts of America Oct 2020 Created and implemented interpretive signage for the Children's Natural History Museum Lead Programmer, Student-Led and Sponsored Vex Robotics Team Aug 2022 - Present Developing autonomous functionality and object detection with a vision sensor Amaze Award in Vex Robotics T ournament (Nov 2022); qualified for state championships (Mar 2023) Volunteer Tutor, Centerville Jr High and Washington HS Oct 2022 - Present Tutor 12 middle students, 1X/week in math in common core 3/pre-Algebra Sole Washington HS student tutoring peers in the math center Vice President Student Council, Washington HS Aug 2020 - Nov 2020 Elected to a leadership position by peers; resigned due to family relocation to England Debate Club, Washington HS Aug 2019 - Nov 2020
Volunteer Researcher and Advocate, miRcore Sept 2019- Aug 2020 Worked on advocacy and conducted research on the effects of opioids

RESEARCH & SPECIAL PROJECTS
Computational Investigation of Berberine Derivatives and their May 2020 - Aug 2020 Binding Affinities to Anti-Parallel DNA G-Quadruplex (ASDRP) Poster Presentation, 7th Annual Research Conference (miRcore) August 2020 Effects of opioids on dorsal root ganglion gene expression in Rattus norvegicus Founded a Website to Connect Teens to Local Jobs (In Development) June 2022 - Present Semi-Finalist Qualifier, NASA-Future Engineers Mars Medical Challenge Feb 2017

SPECIAL SKILLS
Language: English (fluent), Malayalam (fluent), Spanish (Proficient) Technical: Proficient in JavaScript, Python, React.js, Java Other: Black Belt, T ae Kwon Do (Nov 2019)

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Community Services Department
3300 Capitol Ave., Bldg., B
P.O. Box 5006, Fremont, CA 94538
510.494.4344 | [email protected] | www.fremont.gov

Return Application to: City Clerk’s Office
3300 Capitol Ave., Bldg., A
Fremont, CA 94538
Or to: [email protected]

Date submitted: 4/29/23.

Application for Youth Advisory Commission

Name: Anagha Sainath

Address:

Birthdate: 3/25/2008 Age: 15 Sex: F E-mail address:

Telephone: School: American High School Grade: 9

Demographic Information:

Ethnicity:
□ American Indian or Alaskan Native □ Chinese
□ Black or African American □ White
□ Afghan □ Vietnamese
□ Mexican □ Filipino
✓ Indian □ Pakistani

Gender:
□ Male □ Prefer to self-identify
✓ Female □ Prefer not to say

Language(s) Spoken: English, Tamil

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Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission?

As a Fremont teen with a strong commitment to making positive change in my community, I am overjoyed to apply for a seat on the Youth Advisory Commission. I have had lots of experience in public speaking through speech and debate, Socratic seminars, and poetry open mics, which I particip ate in every week. I also have experience in the public eye, and my poetry has been published in official publications such as the India Post. I have leadership experience through my six years of classical Indian dance, numerous clubs, and debate. I am passionate about making a change in this city and allowing youth voices to be heard. As a leader, I want to contribute to Fremont’s betterment and create positive change. Over the past few years, Fremont has encountered numerous problems, particularly with teens. Homelessness has been on the rise, and most of our streets and corners are cluttered with tents and encampments. While I do not wish to antagonize homeless people, I hope to create opportunities for them to gain mobility and rise above their position at the moment through shelters, job opportunities, and safe drug policies. Another issue that I find a lot of teens facing is vaping.

As a student at American High School, more often than not, I enter the bathrooms to the overwhelming smell of someone’s vape cloud. I believe that through stronger anti -vape messaging, stricter regulation, and accessible programs for people struggling with addiction, we can collaborate to end Fremont’s vape problem. In addition, with the rise of shootings and gang violence, a reas such as Fremont Hub and Pacific Commons are incredibly unsafe to visit. As a teen who enjoys going out with her friends, I find myself leaving Fremont to hang out with my friends without major safety risks. With the right policing and innovation, Frem ont can become a safe place where teens feel comfortable being out and about. Not only would this benefit the safety of our city, but local businesses would also experience an uptick in profits with more people visiting them instead of leaving Fremont for shopping. The city could even start a forum to highlight a local business of the week. Fremont has many more issues when it comes to teens, but these are some of the most prominent ones that my peers and I face day to day. With a position on the Commission , I would be committed to bringing those issues to light and proposing innovative solutions. In addition, I want to engage with like-minded individuals with the same drive and ambition that I possess. A seat on the Commission is an opportunity to build strong connections that benefit the people I interact with and me. By collaborating with my fellow Commission members, I hope to explore, identify, and solve issues that Fremont teens face. A primary goal of mine is to place diversity and inclusion at the for efront of our policies. All groups and demographics should have a say in how their city operates. I would use my position as a Commission member to amplify the voices of marginalized populations in our city, encourage more young people to speak up and make their voices heard, and ensure that their concerns are properly addressed. I have a strong desire to positively impact society, particularly by advocating for the needs of young people. This position would provide me with valuable leadership experience an d decision-making skills. A seat on this committee would help me learn, grow, and adapt as an innovator and student. Overall, I am eager to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission and help make Fremont a better place. I am confident that my skills, innovati on, and passion make me an ideal candidate for the role.

What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event?

The main problem that I observe Fremont teens facing is a lack of certainty for the future. As a Fremont teen, I am faced with so many resources, but not with the tools needed to use them. After speaking to other Fremont teens, I have concluded that this is a serious problem I am not alone in facing. The oversaturation of resources is good in a way, as it allows us to have a variety of options to choose from. However, this variety and abundance can be scary to many teens who don’t know what to do with the resources that have been handed to them. My proposal for an event to address this problem would be an “Opportunity Fair” where different programs set up stalls and displays to explain their benefits. These programs would be sorted by field, with a section for STEM, Literature, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Sports, etc. Depending on your interests, you would browse a certain section, or perhaps browse them all to get an idea of what other fields are like. Not only would Rev 1/18 AZ
this help publicize lesser-known programs, but it would also help teens eliminate some of the fear and mystery surrounding applying for these opportunities. By demystifying the mountain of programs and volunteer opportunities, we open the door to a more educated and well-equipped teenage population. I would publicize this event by making flyers with all the details on them (time, location, and other details) and asking local radio hosts to discuss it during morning and after-school hours (as those are prime hours for students and their parents to be listening to the radio). Through these avenues and word-of-mouth, news of the event would spread hopefully even beyond Fremont teens.

What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life?

Three aspects of my identity that shape my outlook on life are resilience, cross-cultural understanding, and leadership. Being interested in creative writing and poetry in a mostly male, STEM-dominated environment as well as my investment in my culture often makes me the minority in certain spaces. The challenges and experiences that come with being a minority have shaped my outlook on life by teaching me how to be resilient and build a thick skin through determination and perseverance. Resilience has encouraged me to think outside the box with innovative solutions and helps me bring a fresh perspective to any situation. When I was seven years old, I started to develop painful stomachaches that would cause me to throw up and scream. At first, my parents believed that it was a normal illness, so they gave me some medicine and let it be. When the pain didn’t stop, they rushed me to the emergency room. Turns out, my innocent stomachache was life-threatening appendicitis. They had caught it just in time. Even a day later, I would have been dead. Very apprehensive, I headed into surgery and emerged one appendix lighter. Going through a scary thing at such a young age forced me to be resilient and see the best in any situation. My appendicitis was just another obstacle in my life, but it never stopped me from being myself. To this day, I still have scars from that surgery. They stay there as a reminder to me to stay hopeful, even in the darkest of times. To me, resilience is appreciating the value of hard work and continuing to be yourself despite any obstacles that may come your way. In addition, my deep respect and involvement with Indian culture have shaped my outlook on life by teaching me respect, empathy, and true pride in my identity. My involvement with my culture through singing, dance, and clubs has taught me respect for my own culture as well as others. This helps me connect to people of diverse backgrounds with different perspectives. A particularly meaningful experience I had with cross-cultural interaction was when I transitioned from a school with maybe three other Indians in my grade to a school with 90% of the population being Indian. My transition from having to reject and deny my culture to being able to embrace it was life- changing for me. My community no longer gave us judgmental stares, but rather friendly glances of camaraderie. My experiences with both a lack of representation as well as an overwhelming amount of representation have taught me how to be myself and represent my culture regardless of the environment around me. Furthermore, my passion for innovation and leadership has shaped my outlook on life by inspiring me to lead by example and take initiative. My voice has been silenced countless times by people who felt superior to me. As a result, I have learned how to assert myself and make my voice heard. My drive for leadership has also fostered a love for collaboration. Using my combined leadership and collaborative skills, I can leverage the skills of a group to achieve a common goal without leaving anybody out. This trait has been particularly valuable in advocating for change and creating a positive impact. One pertinent example of this was in sixth grade when I was faced with a sexist, racist teacher at one of my extracurriculars. This teacher would often reminisce fondly back to when girls were “seen and not heard” and remarked that “girls these days had too much attitude.” This teacher consistently favored boys over girls, and he had it out for me particularly as I was quite outspoken and passionate. One day, as he was making these comments again, I called him out on it. He began yelling and told me to leave his classroom. Although I got in trouble for it, I don’t regret calling him out. I observed his abhorrent behavior and decided to speak up even though others were scared to. I made sure my voice was heard, even if I might have faced consequences. This is a principle I carry with me to Rev 1/18 AZ
this day. I was and always will be a strong advocate for myself and any underrepresented groups. These three aspects of my identity shaped my life and made me into the person I am today.

Create and answer your own question: If you could have any occupation without money being an issue, what would it be and why?

If I could have any job without money as a factor, I would be a poet or author. G rowing up, I was a voracious reader who would read more than 6 books a week. I would spend hours upon hours immersing myself in the worlds that lay between the covers. The more I read, the more fascinated I became with the power of language.

These books I read of strong characters facing the unknown inspired me to begin writing myself, and before long, I was winning writing competitions and even working on a book. The more I read, the more my writing and style improved. I learned techniques and styles from the books I had grown up reading and used them to refine my style. As I grew older, I found myself not having the time to read as much as I had, so I turned to poetry. With its brevity and power packed in a small punch, poetry was the perfect medium for me to continue writing, even when I didn’t have time to devote to longer pieces. Poetry is truly wondrous to me. I attend poetry open mics at my school every week and have had one of my poems published. Being a poet or author would be perfect for me because it’s like carrying on a piece of my childhood forever. My passion for literature is unmatched by anything. In a perfect world where money was no object, this would be the job that truly nourished and enchanted my soul. To me, writing is a way to express yo urself in a way that is so unique to you and only you. The opportunity to potentially change lives and be a positive role model through writing what I love is my idea of the perfect intersection between leadership and literature. I believe that through har d work and dedication, I could leave a lasting impact on the literary world and create a legacy that remains long after I am gone.

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Community Services Department
3300 Capitol Ave., Bldg., B
P.O. Box 5006, Fremont, CA 94538
510.494.4344 | [email protected] | www.fremont.gov

Return Application to: City Clerk’s Office
3300 Capitol Ave., Bldg., A
Fremont, CA 94538
Or to: [email protected]

Date submitted: _March 21st, 2023___________

Application for Youth Advisory Commission

Name: ___Aanya Shah__________________________________________________________

Address:

Birthdate: June 27th, 2007 Age:_15_ Sex: M / F E-mail address:

Telephone: _____ School:__Notre Dame High Scho ol______ Grade:__9th___

Demographic Information:

Ethnicity:
□ American Indian or Alaskan Native □ Chinese
□ Black or African American □ White
□ Afghan □ Vietnamese
□ Mexican □ Filipino
□ Indian □ Pakistani

Gender:
□ Male □ Prefer to self-identify
□ Female □ Prefer not to say

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Language(s) Spoken: _____English, Hindi________

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Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission?

1. Opportunity to make a difference: By joining a youth advisory commission, I will have an opportunity to make a difference and influence decisions in Fremont city - which is my home city.

2. Gain leadership skills: It will help me develop leadership s kills, including public speaking, teamwork, and problem -solving. These skills can be valuable in many aspects of life, from school to future career opportunities.

3. Networking opportunities: It will help me connect with other young people and community leade rs who are passionate about community service and making a difference.

4. Personal growth: It can help me grow and develop in many ways. I can learn about the workings of local government and develop a sense of responsibility.

5. College applications: It can also be a valuable addition to a college or job application a s I can demonstrate leadership, community involvement, and a commitment to public service, all of which are qualities that are highly valued by many colleges.

What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event?

1. Academic Pressure: Fremont Teens are facing academic pressure from parents, teachers, and peers, which can lead to stress, anxiety, and burnout. It is also leading to a less healthy lifestyle and most of the time is spent on academics.

2. Bullying(Cyberbullying): From my friends I have heard some cases of bullying. Bullying can have consequences for teens, including social isolation and depression.

3. Social Media Overuse: Many teens spend excessive amounts of time on social media, which can lead to feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety.

Some of the events I have organized in the past and will continue to organize in future include:
- Information sessions by experts in handling stress and leading a healthy lifestyle - Create group events for teens to go out in nature like hikes.

What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life?

• Being a problem-solver, I feel more confident and have sometimes tried to tackle unexpected challenges that come my way. I don't succeed every time but whenever I do it has fostered a positive and self-assured mindset.

• With my strong work ethic and creative drive, I am able to explore diverse paths and interests, such as cooking and painting, while also giving back through volunteer work like participating in holiday food drives.

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• My compassion for others guides my perspective towards prioritizing their needs, nurturing a kinder and more empathetic outlook on life. Whenever I travel to India, I make a point of visiting orphanages with my mother to donate food, clothing, and financial support to these deserving institutions.

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Create and answer your own question.

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Community Services Department
3300 Capitol Ave., Bldg., B
P.O. Box 5006, Fremont, CA 94538
510.494.4344 | [email protected] | www.fremont.gov

Return Application to: City Clerk’s Office
3300 Capitol Ave., Bldg., A
Fremont, CA 94538
Or to: [email protected]

Date submitted: _________________________

Application for Youth Advisory Commission

Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________________

Birthdate:_________________________ Age:________ Sex: M / F E-mail address: ______

Telephone:_ ____________ School:_______________________________________ Grade:__________

Demographic Information:

Ethnicity:
□ American Indian or Alaskan Native □ Chinese
□ Black or African American □ White
□ Afghan □ Vietnamese
□ Mexican □ Filipino
□ Indian □ Pakistani

Gender:
□ Male □ Prefer to self-identify
□ Female □ Prefer not to say

Language(s) Spoken: ______________________

Emily Sison
, Fremont, CA 94539
June 12, 2007
15 5
Washington High School
English
11 Rev 1/18 AZ
Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event? _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life? _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Rev 1/18 AZ
Create and answer your own question. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________

Rev 1/18 AZ
Community Services Department
3300 Capitol Ave., Bldg., B
P.O. Box 5006, Fremont, CA 94538
510.494.4344 | [email protected] | www.fremont.gov

Return Application to: City Clerk’s Office
3300 Capitol Ave., Bldg., A
Fremont, CA 94538
Or to: [email protected]

Date submitted: July 16, 2023

Application for Youth Advisory Commission

Name: Allyson Wong

Address:

Birthdate: 05/02/07 Age: 16 Sex: F E-mail address:

Telephone:

Demographic Information:

Ethnicity:
□ American Indian or Alaskan Native □ Chinese
□ Black or African American □ White
□ Afghan □ Vietnamese
□ Mexican □ Filipino
□ Indian □ Pakistani

Gender:
□ Male □ Prefer to self-identify
□ Female □ Prefer not to say

Language(s) Spoken: English, Mandarin

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Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission?

Life, as I define it, is about constantly learning, applying cumulative knowledge, and contributing to society at scale. It’s about melding passion and compassion. I am blessed to be raised in the “happiest city” in the nation. But the reality is that there is still significant social economic disparity and a lack of support for many underprivileged teens in our beautiful city.

I had applied for the YAC role last year but was not selected to serve, but I was taught that “you never fail until you stop trying.” I want to offer my experience and service to enhance the lives of Fremont teens and serve the underserved.

I am extremely honored to have been recently selected to serve as the first and only student board member of Fremont Education Foundation. My goal is to represent Fremont students’ voices and identify areas in which we can best serve Fremont students and educators.

If I have the privilege of being selected to serve on the Fremont Youth Advisory Committee, I will utilize my relevant knowledge, experience, and network to collaborate with the YAC committee/board members, Fremont Education Foundation, and FUSD to implement key initiatives beneficial to our city.

What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event?

Fremont teens are faced with ever-increasing academic stress from peers, parents, and even themselves.

Coupled with the fear of not being competitive enough for college admissions, the lack of resources and available support makes it even more challenging for underprivileged students to thrive. Currently, there isn’t one single centralized student resource center to support Fremont teens. I’d like to propose creating an opportunities website or hub for Fremont students that would help them seek/receive guidance. The hub would also provide a platform for alumni/students to offer up support /services and for employers to provide internship opportunities.

Examples are:

Free tutoring services
Free college counseling services (alumni could provide free guidance for underprivileged seniors) Internship/summer job/summer program opportunities (paid and volunteers)

Once a Fremont high school student resource hub is created, we could promote it to students through Fremont high school counselors, student support services, Fremont Chamber of Commerce business es, major Fremont employers (for internship opportunities) , Fremont Education Foundation , and more. The resource hub link could be posted on all FUSD high schools’ websites.

What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life?

My dad tells me that life itself has no meaning; I myself have to give it meaning. I find meaning in three ways: 1) being kind and compassionate, 2) working hard to reach my fullest potential, and 3) doing my best to give back to the community, especially to kids in need.

My parents have always encouraged me to do everything that I believe in wholeheartedly. I have had the privilege to be heavily involved in chess training since I was 5. Through chess, I learned that many kids do not have the financial means to learn this sport that develops mental focus, patience, and resilience. In 2020, I co-founded FEMchess.org, a student-led 501c3 nonprofit foundation that coaches local and underprivileged young girls to learn and compete in chess. In 2022, I raised funds from the US Chess Rev 1/18 AZ
Federation and US Women Chess to support at-risk youth, partnering with Fremont Unified School District to provide free chess lessons to McKinney-Vento unhoused girls. Our goal is to encourage the joy of learning, foster perseverance, and train mental focus in all young girls to bridge the chess gender gap (only fifteen percent of competitive chess players are female).

My career dream is to one day contribute to finding a cure for cancer, with a special focus on pediatric cancer. I personally feel that leadership and success is inconsequential without passion and compassion.

I constantly lean on this powerful combination when making life choices to live a purposeful life.

Create and answer your own question.

What are three main strengths that make you well-suited for this position?

Leadership and Teamwork:

I have been an active volunteer at Kids Against Hunger Fremont www.kahfremont.org and have volunteered over one hundred hours to pack over 10,000 meals to support families with food insecurity.

Wanting to enable more students to give back to our community, I started Kids Against Hunger Club at my high school and proposed to my school administrators that we host an annual public meal packing event open to the entire Fremont community. Through this project, I learned to work in a team, supervise, fundraise, and negotiate with various constituencies all while working toward a common goal. My local community and I raised $20,000 and hosted two public meal-packing events with several hundred volunteers from eighteen schools. The community packed over 80,000 meals, all of which went to families experiencing food insecurity and Ukraine refugees.

Servitude:

Since 7th grade, I have led weekly youth group ministry sessions graders, with a focus on moral and ethical values. This experience has helped me internalize what really matters in character building, and for me, it is hard work, passion, and compassion.

While partnering with FUSD to provide chess coaching, I recently learned that nearly 30 unhoused high school seniors don’t have the financial means to go to prom this year. Thus, I reached out to several vendors asking for prom dress or tuxedo rental sponsors, and Men’s Wearhouse agreed to provide free tux rentals annually so that every unhoused senior could attend prom looking their absolute best. I am currently working on a project with Fremont Education Foundation to donate 50 new bicycles to FUSD McKinney-Vento high school students and Ohlone college unhoused students.

I am also a US Chess Federation certified senior tournament director, and I volunteer my time directing scholastic chess tournaments on the weekends.

Network and Partner Collaboration:

With my established partnerships and my relationship with FUSD and Fremont Education Foundation, I have delivered proven results with various large-scale initiatives. I continue to proactively seek new opportunities to benefit Fremont students.

I look forward to the opportunity and honor to be a part of YAC, working with my peers and city council to identify, propose, and implement key projects to improves the lives of our Fremont teens.

My resume is attached for your reference:

Academic and Research
BASIS Independent Fremont (Junior) GPA: Unweighted 3.98 / Weighted 4.70 15 APs, 1 Post AP courses Courses Completed: AP Calculus BC, AP Biology, AP Economics, AP US Government, AP US History, Honors Chemistry, AP Computer Science, AP English Language & Composition.

Courses in Progress: AP Physics 1, AP Chemistry, AP Stats, AP Psychology, AP Chinese, Post AP Asian Masterpieces, AP World History

USA Biology Olympiad National Semifinalist - Merit Award British Biology Olympiad Silver
BASIS School Leadership Award (7th, 8th, 9th grade - one awarded per grade) Presidential Volunteer Service Award GOLD (>100 service hours per year) Women Candidate Master - FIDE World Chess Federation
US National Chess Ranking: online blitz - Women under 18: #10, Overall Women: #18 Awards
I aspire to live a purposeful life, work hard to reach my fullest potential, and one day contribute to advancements in the biomedical field with a special focus on serving the underserved youths.

W O N GA L L Y S O N
Standardized Test Scores
ACT: 36/36 composite (Math 35, English 36)
Leadership and Community Service
Lead weekly beyond AP-level Biology training sessions. Create and review mock exams to prepare members for the USABO and British Olympiad Open exams
Founder/co-President/Lecturer - BASIS USA Biology Olympiad Club Summer 2021
June 2022

Led weekly meetings consisting 35 student panel leaders to initiate and implement major school events (e.g Homecoming) President - BASIS Student Panel (9th & 10th)
Raised $20,000 and hosted two public meal-packing events with several hundred volunteers from eighteen schools.

Led community pack over 80,000 meals to support local families experiencing food insecurity and Ukraine refugees.

Founder/President - BASIS Kids Against Hunger Club
August 2021 - Present
August 2021 - Present
Event video
Graded student assignments and exams, facilitated class discussions, and assisted lab exercises TA for Advanced Biotechnology Course - Academic Talent Development Program at UC Berkeley Summer 2022 Created 10 levels of chess curriculum and recruited 18 nationally ranked volunteer chess coaches Partnering with Fremont Unified School District to provide free chess lessons to the McKinney Vento unhoused students Expanding free chess program to Hayward and Union City Unified School District unhoused students Awarded over $5,000 grant from US Women Chess and US Chess At-Risk Youth Chess Programs Invited to the Meltwater World Tour Chess Championship Finals and spoke about FEMchess' work promoting chess to the at-risk youths. Interview video
Founder - FEMchess.org Student-led 501c3 nonprofit teaching local and underprivileged young girls to learn/compete in chess
August 2020 - Present
Academic Talent Development Program (ATDP) at UC Berkeley Advanced Biotechnology course
Introduction to Cancer Research course

March 2023
March 2023
2020, 2021, 2022
2021, 2022
awarded lifetime international title in 2017
July 2023

Led care-card project for residents at senior centers and the homeless shelters during the pandemic Successfully fundraised $2,600 and purchased cookware for 50 families transitioning out of homeless shelter to permanent housing
President - BASIS National Junior Honor Society 2019 - 2021 Successful outreach to Mens Wearhouse to sponsor yearly Fremont unhoused high school senior prom tux March 2023 Working with META to donate $50K of bicycles to Ohlone unhoused students, FUSD unhoused students and homeless shelters Projects Benefiting At-Risk Youths:

December 2021 - February 2023
Genomic Research Internship at Stanford University
1 of 14 high school students selected to conduct genomics research at Snyder Lab under the mentorship of postdoctorial fellow Summer 2023
Summer 2022
Selected to serve as the first and only student board member to represent Fremont students’ voices and identify areas in which FEF can best serve Fremont students and educators Board of Director - Fremont Education Foundation Public Charity established in 1991 July 2023 - Present Lead weekly youth group teaching 4th-5th graders with a focus on moral and ethical values Youth Ministry Leader - Awana at Bridges Community Church August 2020 - Present
Directed US rated tournaments with > 1,000 competitors to date Organize all-girls tournament to promote chess to female to help close the gender gap in chess Certified Senior Chess Tournament Director - US Chess Federation August 2021 - Present

Fremont City CouncilSeptember 12, 2023

Fremont City Council
September 12, 2023