I believe forging connections is important because it builds trust between people, fosters better collaboration, and cultivates communication. Helping others to feel comfortable and confident, while introducing new ideas and encouraging them to take risks helps boost productivity. As these connections are strengthened, the bonds they create continue to grow outside of the classroom, ultimately nurturing long-term friendships. Having this network is essential because it allows me and others to have companionship, support, and a sense of belonging–all of which are vital components to a healthy life.
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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: 4/23/2025
Application for Youth Advisory Commission
Name: Cham Yu
Demogr
aphic 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: 6, 1) Bilingual Proficiency – Mandarin Chinese, 2) Bilingual Proficiency – Cantonese Chinese, 3) Bilingual Proficiency – English, 4) Elementary Proficiency – Suzhounese (Wu Chinese), 5) Basic Proficiency (learning) – Spanish, 6) Basic Proficiency (learning) – Russian
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Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission?
I probably shouldn’t be applying today. Unlike my peers, I was not born in Fremont , nor did I spend my early childhood years here. I was raised in Hong Kong as a born abroad American for more than a decade. But when I turned eleven, my childhood was cut in half. Street battles, sparked by sectarian political divisions in 2019, ravaged my neighborhood and forced my family out of our home. Soon, like countless residents in Fremont, m y family moved to America in search for a better life — a life free of violence and oppression.
I began my political advocacy work in hopes of promoting equity and opportunity in my community, first as an intern for then-San Francisco Mayor London Breed’s reelection campaign, and later for California State Treasurer Fiona Ma’s campaign for Lieutenant Governor. Last year, I witnessed a traffic accident in the Mission San Jose neighborhood, and I felt a responsibility to prevent another tragedy in my community. I formed an infrastructure advocacy organization, Rebuild the Bay, gathered the support of my peers and lobbied then- Vice Mayor Yang Shao to launch an informal investigation of Dalgo Rd./Mission Blvd., a busy neighborhood intersection without traffic lights. Although they were not installed, the experience gave me confidence as a political advocate.
I’m applying to the Youth Advisory Commission not just because I want to apply my experience in grassroots advocacy, but to shed light into first -generation immigrant experiences that are so often overlooked by local governments. As the Director of Rebuild the Bay, I was invited to attend a United Nations (UN) conference in New York, traditionally open to institutional youths aged 18-35, and delivered a speech about the importance of local advocacy in a regional session with government and youth representatives, which is now posted on the UN webcast. With a team of Fremont teens working as youth consultants, my organization is now engaged in advocacy work with young activists from 5 other states. In addition to my organization’s ongoing work in pursuit of introducing a bill in Congress, I have shared our local advocacy efforts within Fremont internationally, establishing working relationships with more than 10 foreign advocacy organizations and government officials ranging from Austria to Kenya. As a political intern, I’ve used my skills in Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese to organize community events with more than 500 attendees combined, from local theater screenings to neighborhood rallies. I also helped manage a system of campaign literature distribution that reached more than 10,000 residential units in San Francisco.
With my experience in international advocacy and multicultural background, I can provide a valuable perspective in the Youth Advisory Commission that engages with more young stakeholders, while applying my event management skills through my prior experience as a campaign intern. I hope to apply my work in the UN locally by establishing partnerships with Fremont youth -led organizations as part of the commission, improving consultation of relevant stakeholders that better address Fremont youth needs. As a student journalist in the Smoke Signal, I’ve interviewed FUSD officials and engaged with several Councilmembers, while investigating local issues in monthly articles. As part of the Commission, I can utilize my previous experience with city officials and with Fremont youth needs to better convey teen issues to the City Council. The Commission will also provide a method for me to be connected with local issues and better represent them on the international stage, and allow me to potentially connect Fremont officials with foreign municipal governments in the future, promoting cultural exchange and diverse perspectives to governance. Most importantly, I hope to engage directly with first -generation youth and better represent immigrant perspectives to public discourse. The inclusion of f irst- generation immigrants doesn’t stop at compassion, but continues with collaboration as we move to build a more inclusive future together, and I’m adamant that there’s nothing stopping me from shaping my community today.
What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event?
There’s no doubt that Fremont teens, similar to students from the Bay Area, excel in STEM-subjects that propel many into national conventions and prestigious research positions. But the overrepresentation of Bay Area students is not as clear in the field of political advocacy. I was deeply surprised when I found out that I was only one of two Bay Area high school students attending a large UN -held conference, primarily attended by youth advocates and aspiring foreign service candidates. It’s an even more significant issue in Fremont, where political activity is often less visible due to our suburban environment, and that most students gear their extracurricular activities toward majoring in STEM for college. That doesn’t mean that political advocacy is any less important. If anything, teens should be more involved in local political processes as Fremont generally garners little national attention without explicit activism.
I started writing as a student journalist in the Smoke Signal last year, and I authored numerous articles where I had to interview teens from Mission San Jose High School (MSJ) on their perspective on local political issues. And most of the time, students demonstrated unawareness of local issues in interviews, particularly concerning as multiple avenues of political participation exist for Fremont teens. Even the Youth Advisory Commission’s existence is generally a mystery
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among most students. It’s clear that providing mediums isn’t enough to encourage political awareness, and improving publicity should be a priority for the commission next year.
Using my experience leading competition teams as MSJ Mock Trial’s Defense Co- Captain and MSJ Model United Nations’ Event Coordinator, I plan on working with other members of the commission to host City Hall viewing sessions when important information will be displayed, and publicize them using a strong social media presence. I will work to post monthly recap posts for commission meetings, and provide appropriate reposts and commentary when needed to social media releases made by city officials. Fremont teens should be aware that they can directly reach out to the commission to voice concerns or suggestions, which social media can help facilitate. The commission should also spotlight local projects or organizations and directly transmit their needs to the city council. In that way, Fremont teens are given a sense of transparency of commission activities and are encouraged to pursue political initiatives of their own.
What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life?
It’s easy to lose track of one’s perspective amongst their accomplishments and seemingly tangible statistics, which are ultimately driven by one’s identity. The most prominent part of my identity is my reflectiveness, which allows me to be critical and seek improvement out of all circumstances. It’s also my biggest weakness, as it places pressure on my peers, but also my greatest strength, allowing me to succeed as a public speaker and officer in Model United Nations, a team captain in Mock Trial, and as a political advocate for my infrastructure advocacy organization. It allows me to think rationally and formulate nuanced essays and articles, and not only allowed me to be a writer for a law and policy journal as well as a feminist magazine, but helped me become a News editor for my school newspaper next year. It formed a worldview of improvement for me where I am driven to make use of my time effectively , and convey criticism into tangible solutions that manifests into concrete action. But as productive as criticalness may be, it doesn’t establish anything aside from personal motivation – other perspectives are needed.
I started playing Cello in the first grade, and it was really nothing beyond regular practice at first. I used to dread the 15- minute practice sessions, which now I understand as barely enough, as a dragging waste of time. When I entered high school and experienced the intense competition within my peers firsthand, the Cello now played a different role in my life.
I learned to treasure the half -hour practice sessions as a moment of serenity , and as a time for retrospect and mental relaxation. I am now a Cellist in the Golden State Youth Orchestra’s Senior Symphony, where I participate on a half - scholarship. No matter how talented of a soloist an orchestral musician may be, every member of the orchestra must listen to one another and play as whole, an ebb and flow of compromise and virtuosity. It’s probably the reason why I still keep playing Cello today, not just as a hobby, but as a reminder that working alone will never produce sufficient results, where the lifelong skill of compromise is instilled in me, the second aspect of my identity that makes me who I am today.
Finally, growing up in a multicultural environment shaped my worldview not just in terms of culture, but in community and language. I grew up in one of the most urbanized regions of the world, a former British colony where Chinese and English cultures merged to form a unique identity of its own. When I moved to Fremont, it’s no exaggeration to say that everything changed. Bustling sidewalks were quiet parks, and towering edifices became endless expanses of greenery. It’s this juxtaposition that provided me with a crucial motivation to establish my advocacy organization in the beginning, where I sought to replicate the memory of my hometown — its urban infrastructure — in Fremont. My multicultural childhood also embarked me on a lifelong journey of language learning. I grew up speaking three languages at home: Mandarin Chinese, English, and Cantonese, while my mother’s family spoke Wu Chinese to me. Curiosity for language became an integral part of me, first with childhood German lessons and two years of Spanish in school. I won a Department of State- sponsored exchange program to study Russian in Latvia over the summer, and a National Security Agency -sponsored program for online Russian lessons for the 25- 26 school year, both on a full scholarship. Language is the greatest medium of understanding, and it’s allowed me to experience a diverse range of cultures as a teenager, informing my perspective for the years to come.
Create and answer your own question.
Lifesaver?
—, the em dash.
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Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission applications (5530 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards &
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: _6/03/2025______________
Application for Youth Advisory Commission
Name: Grant Yuan______________________________________________________________
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, Mandarin_________
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Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission applications (5530 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission?
I want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission because it offers me a chance to become more involved in the city and to become someone who can help out other teens in the city. Being a high school student, I’ve seen a lot of the problems teens face firsthand, and I think being in the Youth Advisory Commission would offer me an opportunity to try to bridge gaps like the ones between Fremont youth and local government. Part of my passion for politics and community service has taught me that it's critical to be informed and engaged in shaping the world around me, and by serving on the commission, I hope to create a better environment for teenagers in Fremont. Being able to collaborate with other teens on the council would also help me expand my horizons, as I would gain a significantly greater understanding of various viewpoints.
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 academic stress and pressure. While this is a pretty common issue many people face, it happens to be especially prevalent in Fremont, with the academic culture of pressure and competition. A lot of teens struggle with stress related to school, and an event that could address this problem would be a festival or workshop to help teens manage their workload and learn to control their stress. This could be a 2-3 day-long event over the weekend featuring workshops on how to meditate or learn time management skills. I think that having mental health professionals and student leaders would help greatly and attempt to normalize conversations around stress, teach coping strategies, and provide support for those in need of it. I would help organize this event by forming a committee of students and youth in Fremont who are interested in hosting this event, especially those who are themselves most affected by this issue. I would also reach out to local professionals who would be willing to appear at this event in order to provide a better experience and more information about mental health for the attendees. I think there are many different ways I could go about publicizing this event, such as asking ASG to make announcements as well as advertising it on school newspapers across the district. Social media would also be a huge tool, as I can make posts announcing the event and the dates, and promote it to my friends. Posting on platforms such as Instagram and asking my friends to repost would definitely make a significant impact in publicizing this event and spreading the word.
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 include my love for the outdoors, my upbringing in the Bay Area, and lastly, my interest in politics. I think that my love for the outdoors has had a significant impact on my outlook in life because, as a child, I used to only be interested in big cities and the things that came with them. However, after joining the Boy Scouts and regularly going on backpacking trips, I realised that I had a love for the outdoors, as spending time outdoors helped me take my mind off my day-to-day troubles and unwind. This changed my outlook on life, not only because it made me realise there was so much more than just becoming academically and financially successful in life, but it also made me a lot more environmentally conscious and caring for nature. I think that being raised in the Bay Area also had a significant impact on my life. The culture in the Bay Area is significantly different from other places, especially academically. I think the pressure does create a lot of successful people and outstanding achievers, but it often pushes people into things they don’t really enjoy. This culture of academic stress and pressure to pursue STEM-related careers has shaped my outlook because it has made me realise what I was actually interested in, which is helping the community and getting involved in the city. This also ties into how my love for politics and history has shaped my outlook on life, because it’s taught me a lot about civic engagement and giving back to the community in any meaningful way I can. I believe being informed and always interacting with my community is one of the best ways that I can make a meaningful difference. All of these aspects of my identity have molded my outlook on life, and I think that they have shaped me into a better person with a deeper sense of my responsibilities.
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Attachment: Youth Advisory Commission applications (5530 : Mayor Salwan Referral: Appointments to Advisory Bodies; Boards & Create and answer your own question.
What does community leadership mean to you, and how would you embody that as a Youth Advisory Commission member?
I think that to me, community leadership and involvement are a huge part of my life, and it is a venue for me to make meaningful change. A huge part of what I want to pursue later on in life is related to helping people, and community leadership is one of the best ways to do that. As a member of the YAC, I would try my best to give back to Fremont’s youth and listen to the concerns of students across the district. I’d also work to get students more involved with the city itself by helping organize events and providing opportunities for them to discover new interests or passions. I think that to me, leadership means empowering others to take action as well and helping people feel like they’re a part of something.
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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: July 20, 2025
Application for Youth Advisory Commission
Name: Sihan Zhang
Address:
Demographic Information:
Ethnicity:
□ American Indian or Alaskan Native X 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:
X Male □ Prefer to self-identify
□ Female □ Prefer not to say
Language(s) Spoken: Native - English, Chinese; Spanish (approx. CEFR B1) , Korean (approx. TOPIK 1)
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Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? As a rising junior at MSJHS, I am passionate about contributing to our local government and addressing city -wide issues through youth involvement. The role of local government cannot be stressed enough, providing public services that are of key importance to all Fremont residents. Serving on the commission would give me an opportunity to contribute a unique point of view to the municipal government while representing the concerns of the youth in our community. I hope that my role as a commissioner can bridge the gap between the plans of our city government with the interests of people my age.
My interest in policy is backed by meaningful experience. As an intern for Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert, I researched and created a policy brief about the link between bicycle and bus infrastructure deficiencies in Fremont, services often utilized by Fremont youth. I have also advocated for transit development, affordable housing, and youth representation in government worldwide as Deputy Director of Rebuild the Bay, a youth-led organization recognized by many local political figures. Additionally, as an award-winning crisis-focused Model UN delegate, I’ve gained countless skills, including problem solving and public speaking critical for civic engagement. I believe that my experience paired with my passion would make me an effective commissioner.
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 lack “transit-consciousness.” When walking isn’t an option, the default question is almost always: “can you drive me?” or “can we carpool?” making it seem as if we’ve forgotten every other mobility solution. While AC Transit is infrequent in Fremont, it is a fast system if the timing is right. The bus is able to offer competitive speeds to a car, especially with transit signal priority on some roads in Fremont. Even if AC Transit doesn’t happen to be available for the moment, bikes present a quick alternative solution. Even with bike infrastructure as developed as Fremont, it seems like bike lanes are only used for recreation, never for transportation. I believe the issue is just lack of awareness or a light stigma associated with public transportation. This proposed event would aim to address that.
My proposal involves a “Transit Advocacy Day” held at the Central Park Performance Pavilion. The event would be multifaceted in order to maximize reach and impact. For STEM oriented students, we would run a hackathon to redesign and improve the AC Transit app. Simultaneously, a career and networking panel of AC Transit officials and Fremont government representatives will introduce civic service, public policy, and urban planning career paths, engaging students interested in governance and law. Both activities aim to attract the high population of academics -aligned high school and middle school students with substantive activities. Younger elementary age children would be able to decorate their bikes or participate in a variety of transit or bike-themed games for small prizes. For a broader audience, local bike organizations and repair shops would host bike-repair workshops and free tune-ups. As an added incentive, all participants will be equally entered into a raffle for a free bicycle or prepaid Clipper cards. To complete the event, food trucks would be set up in the Community Center parking lot.
Logistically, a minimum four month planning window is required. Since the initial plan is to have the event at Lake Elizabeth, it would be best to reserve both Fukuyama rooms in the nearby library as well in case of poor weather. Key partners, including AC Transit, city officials, bike shops, and food vendors will need to be contacted early in the process to ensure availability. Volunteer hours could also be offered to FUSD students to both boost attendance and fulfill staffing needs.
Publicity efforts should start two months ahead, using multichannel marketing to maximize the campaign’s reach. As the event is mainly targeting students, announcements from school administrations on StudentSquare would be the primary way to reach students. This would be supplemented by publicizing on social media, with reposts from interns in the Fremont government broadening reach and adding a layer of authenticity. The publicity campaign would need to be refreshed often to ensure busy students remember about the event.
What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life? As a second-generation immigrant, I try to harmonize my two core cultural identities as American and Chinese. My interest in governance and politics was born out of reading books and watching videos in English that explored local, national, and global issues. I’ve made countless American friends and grew up immersed in Western media and civic culture. At the same time, my Chinese heritage has remained a grounding force in my life. Ever since I was barely able to walk, my parents have encouraged me to consume Chinese media and speak Mandarin. In fact, my first language was Mandarin. Thanks to their effort and encouragement, I have been able to maintain a close connection to my heritage even if English is now my dominant language. By growing up with both cultures, I’ve learned to choose the best aspects and values from both cultures that best reflect the person I strive to be.
I grew up surrounded by people with vastly different backgrounds in the Bay and Seattle, two of the most cosmopolitan parts of the US. As I grew up, I became aware of the importance of immigrants to the founding and ongoing resilience of America through history and observation. It strengthened my belief that America's greatest asset is diversity, bringing out
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the best in each person, allowing each to accomplish something extraordinary regardless of their origin. As the quote on the Statue of Liberty says, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…” As such a significant symbol of America, I hope that those words will continue to be respected.
Since my childhood, I have been fortunate to travel across the world with my parents. From Europe to Asia, I experienced countless cultures and ways of life. While I deeply value the strengths and freedoms of America, we still have much to learn from other countries. I admired the collective responsibility of Japan and Korea, with spotless streets and lost wallets sure to be returned. Traveling to Europe and China, I’ve seen the efficacy and efficiency of fast public transport and bike infrastructure. These trips have taught me to be open-minded, knowing that every country and culture has something new and better we can learn from.
Create and answer your own question.
What do you hope Fremont will look like in 25 years?
In 25 years, I hope that Fremont will be an essential player in an interconnected Bay Area, leading the US in standard of living, innovation, and diversity.
Public transportation and density is the key to this transformation. The city has been doing much to combat the current housing crisis with investments in affordable housing. However, with a limited area to work with, increased density is the only way to d eliver more housing to people that need it. Embracing medium- density, mixed-use development like those seen in the city center would allow Fremont to house more people without sacrificing the existing charm of our city. With higher density, Fremont – and by extension the rest of the Bay – would be able to implement and invest in more effective public transportation that can transport people with a guarantee of safety, speed, and affordability that a capricious car - based system cannot. This system would also help suppress climate change, decreasing Fremont’s net emissions to help reach its existing 2030 goals and eventually achieve net zero. In 25 years, I hope to see a dense and fully housed Fremont serviced by a strong public transportation network involving BART, AC Transit, and connections to the future CAHSR, with strong integration with the robust biking infrastructure that has already been implemented.
Fremont’s strength lies in its great diversity. Our city includes cultural communities from cultures throughout the world, Afghan, Chinese, Filipino, Hispanic, Indian, Vietnamese, and more, offering a cultural landscape rarely matched anywhere else in the US or even the world. Each and every resident contributes to make Fremont the happiest city in the United States. Fremont must continue to encourage cultural expression from all communities. The municipal government could offer sustained support for the festivals and arts of each culture. Language classes in mother tongues such as Cantonese, Hindi, Mandarin, Pashto, Tagalog, and Vietnamese at schools would help second- and third-generation immigrants maintain their continued connection to their heritage and ancestors. In 25 years, I hope to see a stronger, more vibrant tapestry of cultures that continues to permeate into Fremont’s way of life.
This city is home to some of the brightest students in all of America, many of whom go on to make an impact on the world.
However, academic success must be matched with civic knowledge, lest we lose our voice when we lose the ability to advocate for ourselves. We have a duty to educate youth in Fremont on civic responsibility and participation in the political process, actions that make our city, state, and national governments stronger and more responsive. In 25 years, I hope to see a civically engaged youth that advocates for their own interests and participates in their own government, not just for personal benefit, but also for the common good.
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