CONFIDENTIAL CITY CLERK
FEB 26 2026
L CITY OF FREMONT
Date submitted: 02/25/2026
Application for Youth Advisory Commission
Name: Faaizah Khan
Address:
Birthdate! Age: 16 Sex: M / FiLE-mail address:
Telephone: School: Grade: 11
Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? I want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission because I hope to develop leadership skills and represent the voices of students and other kids my age who may not get a chance to share their ideas for Fremont. By becoming a part of this group, I will be able to offer a youth perspective for how the government can improve, while also learning and understanding the details behind how a local government develops and executes events and plans to benefit the members of our community. I believe that all perspectives must be heard for a society to be equal and structured, and serving as a member of this committee will help me represent students and advocate for innovative ideas, while connecting with the city officials and professionals who are capable of and have made change.
What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event?
Though it does not seem to affect the teens of Fremont as much as other areas, mental health still remains a big problem for students, especially high schoolers. As our students have learned to subduf their anxieties and worries, an event that I propose is a festival that openly celebrates failures. This event could feature local political leaders who discuss their own "fails" along the successes that have come from it, and youth-led panels to describe personal experiences to give the city a better raw understanding of the common causes and patterns, with small prizes for encouragement. With the use of platforms like Instagam and Whatsapp, kids can see flyers and be motivated to participate.
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What are threë (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life? Growing up Indian and Muslim in America, according to the shows I had watched as a child, were two aspects that were supposed to make life a difficult experience that would make toughen me up.
However, in the Bay Area where almost everyone looks just like me, such concepts felt literally like they were "out of a movie." Despite this, I still approach life cautiously, not fearfully, but rather with an understanding that every place will not be comfortable, and that I must adapt to new environments and appreciate the community that shaped me. Furthermore, speaking various languages has been a vital part of my identity, with Urdu and Tamil providing vastly different, yet simultaneously similar experiences. Each language has its own culture and way of viewing the world, and speaking multiple has made me more open-minded and curious about the lives and customs of communities around mę Create and answer your own question.
Q: What is the most important skill/value do you bring to this Commission? The quality that I value most about myself is my positive outlook. Though it seems basic, I believe that my ability to frame rejections and other setbacks as opportunities to grow rather than signs of failure allows me to be a strong candidate. I am always looking for the chance to become a kinder, more warm-hearted person, especially when it comes to engaging with others. I believe that personal growth is essential to anyone who hopes to serve their community effectively, and becoming a part of the Youth Advisory Commission will allow me to put those values to action by representing the voices of those who are not heard, and contributing to meaningful initiatives for Fremont.
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CONFIDENTIAL CITY CLERK
FEB 18 2026
Fremont
CITY OF FREMONT
Return Application to: City Clerk's Office
Date submitted: 2/17/2026
Application for Youth Advisory Commission
Name: Yibin Ma
Address:
Birthdate. Age: 16 Sex: M / F E-mail address:
Telephone: School: Grade:"
Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? I want to enhance the students' experiences with the society by triggering more awareness about the Right now, especially in the areas near the silicon valley, the competitive environment often takes too Therefore, I want to trigger awareness about social issues for the students around me. So, I want to s What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event?
One Fremont teens face is that they put too much time on either academics or electronics. There are Proposing an event: Trigger awareness about the need of civic engagement in public areas. 1. Resea Rev 1/18 AZ
What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life? As a Christian, I try to treat others with respects and love.
As a piano player, I build a introspective mindset that I often reflect because musics calms me.
As a electronic engineering lover, I have strong problem solving skills as I develop prototypes and troi Create and answer your own question.
Question: Since Fremont is a diverse society with students from different backgrounds, how can you e Answer: I will create a new program about this. After recruitment, different members, based on their h Rev 1/18 AZ
CONFIDENTIAL CITY CLERK
FEB 0 4 2026
CITY OF FREMONT
Return Application to: City Clerk's Office
3300 Capitol Ave., Bldg., A
Or to: Clerkoremo 4538
Date submitted 216/2026
Application for Youth Advisory Commission
Name: Pragyan Manadhata
Address!
Birthdate: Age: 15 Sex: M / F E-mail address:
Telephone School:- Grade: 10
Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? Please see the answer on page 3.
What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event?
Please see the answer on page 3.
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What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life? Please see the answer on page 4.
Create and answer your own question.
Please see the answer on page 5.
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Q1: Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? In 2018, when I was eight years old and living in Sacramento, a deadly wildfire in California's Butte County affected daily life across the region. I watched my school and neighborhood come together to support families who had been displaced. Seeing people organize, share information, and take collective action was my first exposure to civic engagement. It showed me that community voice matters and that thoughtful, informed action can make a real difference.
That experience shaped my interest in contributing to my community, especially by helping young people be heard. I want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission because I believe youth perspectives are essential in decisions that impact our city, and I want to help bring those voices to local leaders.
Through debate, I have learned that diverse viewpoints strengthen discussions and that being challenged helps develop empathy and perspective-taking. My advanced coursework in mathematics and logic has taught me to approach complex problems systematically and think carefully about cause and effect-skills that are important when evaluating community challenges. Through mentoring and service, I have also discovered the joy of helping others grow. As Chapter Vice President of Debate and Educate, I work with younger students to build confidence in expressing their ideas, and 1 have seen how empowering it is when their voices are taken seriously.
Serving on the Youth Advisory Commission would allow me to combine analytical thinking, communication, and service while contributing meaningfully to the city I call home.
Q2: What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem.
How would you organize and publicize this event?
I have been playing cricket since middle school and carpool with other students from Fremont.
Over time, those car rides became spaces for open conversations about our lives both in and outside of school.
As we grew closer, we shared our dreams, fears, and concerns. Because we attended different schools across the city, each of us brought unique perspectives. A common theme in these conversations was the pressure to excel academically and how it was quietly affecting our well-being. Many of us felt isolated, believing we were alone in these struggles, and simply sharing these experiences helped reduce that sense of isolation.
This experience reflects a broader issue Fremont teens face: stress and isolation driven by academic pressure and limited opportunities to openly discuss mental health. Many students are struggling but feel uncomfortable seeking help or are unaware of available resources.
To address this, I would propose a Teen Wellness & Connection Forum, hosted in partnership with local schools and community centers. The event would include student-led discussions, short talks from mental health professionals, and interactive workshops focused on stress management, balance, and peer support. Attendees could also submit anonymous surveys about stressors and support needs.
Using my background in math and data analysis, I would help summarize trends from the feedback so the Commission can identify patterns and prioritize solutions.
To organize the event, I would collaborate with school counselors, youth organizations, and fellow commissioners to develop the agenda and recruit speakers. I would also involve students in leading breakout discussions to ensure the event feels relatable and youth-driven.
To publicize the event, I would use school announcements, social media platforms popular with teens, flyers at libraries and community centers, and outreach through student clubs. By involving students directly in both planning and promotion, the event would feel welcoming and relevant to Fremont teens.
Q3: What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life? I see my identity as shaped by my experiences and interests.
First, I am a child of immigrants who has lived across the United States and interacted with people from many different backgrounds.
I have lived in four cities across different parts of the country, including both the East and West Coasts. Each move exposed me to new schools, cultures, and social norms. I have experienced both relatively homogeneous environments and highly diverse ones, which taught me that communities can look very different on the surface while facing similar underlying challenges.
These experiences have shaped my ability to listen carefully and search for solutions that are inclusive and responsive to diverse needs.
Second, I am an analytical thinker shaped by mathematics.
My background in mathematics has influenced how I understand communities. In math, variation matters and patterns only emerge when differences are accounted for, not when everyone is treated as an average case. I think about communities the same way: there is variance in experiences, needs, and pressures, and meaningful solutions must be informed by that diversity. This mindset helps me approach community issues thoughtfully and with respect for different perspectives.
Third, I see myself as a mentor and collaborator.
Through debate, mentoring, and community service, I have learned the importance of creating spaces where people feel comfortable sharing their ideas. Helping others express themselves has taught me that leadership is less about speaking the loudest and more about bringing voices together. This perspective shapes how I engage with others and motivates me to contribute to inclusive, collaborative decision-making.
Q4: Create and answer your own question.
The question I will come up with is:
How do you plan to utilize your interests in mathematics and debate in this position? My answer is:
I plan to use my interests in mathematics and debate to help the Youth Advisory Commission better understand and communicate the needs of Fremont's youth.
My background in mathematics helps me approach problems systematically. I am comfortable analyzing patterns in feedback, recognizing variation in experiences, and thinking carefully about cause and effect when considering possible solutions. This allows me to move beyond individual anecdotes and identify broader trends that can inform thoughtful recommendations.
Through debate, 1 have developed strong communication and listening skills. Debate has taught me how to articulate ideas clearly, consider multiple perspectives, and engage respectfully with differing viewpoints. These skills are especially important in a setting where collaboration and consensus are essential.
By combining analytical thinking with effective communication, I hope to help translate youth perspectives into clear, constructive input that can be shared with city leaders and used to support informed decision-making.
Community Services Department
3300 Capitol Ave., Bldg., B CONFIDENTIAL
Fremont 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: January 22, 2026
Application for Youth Advisory Commission
Name: Anshina Verma
Address:
17 Birthdate: Age: Sex: M / F E-mail address:
Telephone: School: Grade: 11
Why do you want to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission? am eager to serve on the Youth Advisory Commission because it is a platform to create meaningful cl I plan to contribute by advocating for something that is often overlooked but critically important: financ Serving on the YAC would allow me to act as an agent of change by identifying gaps in financial educ I hope to advocate for accessible, age-appropriate financial literacy initiatives that provide my peers w Furthermore, I would love, to collaborate with fellow commissioners to organize a "Money Matters" This initiative could support students during key transitions, such as entering high school or preparing I hope to ensure that all youth feel represented and supported. Community is incredibly important to n What is a problem Fremont teens face and propose an event to address this problem. How would you organize and publicize this event?
Many Fremont teens struggle with financial literacy, leaving them unprepared to manage money, unde Participants could plan a month-long budget for a hypothetical salary, make investment decisions usir Teams would present their strategies to a panel of local financial advisors, with recognition or small pi The workshops could be held at high schools, the Fremont Youth Center, or public libraries for access Rev 1/18 AZ
What are three (3) aspects of your identity that shape your outlook on life? Juice spills over my fingernails, coating my palm, as | dig my fingers beneath the rubbery skin of a tan That might explain why I care for it as a possessive and angsty teenage girl might. Walking past the p My toes sink into the plush carpet as I stare into his hazel eyes, so bright that they make me hate my My father flew to fetch him, afraid that, given grandfather' s lack of technological skills, he' d be helk Three aspects of my identity that shape my outlook on life my cultural and religious values, my family Growing up in my local Gurudwara, I learned the importance of responsibility and care for others, part Recruiting volunteers, we helped seniors with online appointments, phones, translation tools, and mor They gained a radiant confidence. I could see their faces light up as they hobbled towards me, proud! My program strengthened my community as I ensured nobody was left behind because the world mor Create and answer your own question.
If you could be a candy which one would you be and why
tear open the copper colored wrapper, the sharp edges poking the tips of my fingers.
I throw one into my mouth, it's sharply sour, the kind of flavor that makes you pause. t's an acquired taste, but if you're patient, sweetness slowly surfaces. Tamarind candies are layered; t Like tamarind candy, I'm rooted in tradition. I've grown up surrounded by incredible diversity, and one As my culture constantly sits, carried in pockets, I believe the best things aren't instantly gratifying the Rev 1/18 AZ