Co-Founder and Chair, CAYC

Chair, Hillsborough Youth Commission

Anya is a senior at Castilleja School in Palo Alto. She is passionate about connecting teens in her community, providing mental health support, and enhancing environmental sustainability. She also hopes to increase voter registration for teens and raise awareness about the safety of e-bikes and alcohol use. She is excited to help communities in California launch youth commissions to amplify youth voice and representation. In her free time, she enjoys playing soccer and spending time with her dog.

Vice-Chair, CAYC

Legislation Subcommittee Chair, CAYC

Outreach Specialist, Palo Alto Youth Council

Charlie is a junior at Crystal Springs Uplands School. In addition, he hosts the “Straight To It” podcast, where he has interviewed more than 73 leaders in business, entertainment, and sports. Charlie is also a TEDx organizer and hosted TEDx Baylands Park Youth in April 2024. In his free time, Charlie enjoys reading, playing tennis, and watching Formula 1 races, all while spending time with his two dogs, Bodhi and Sadie.

Director of Membership and Engagement, CAYC

Youth Commission Establishment Subcommittee Chair, CAYC

Amaira is a sophomore at the Nueva School in San Mateo. She is passionate about youth advocacy initiative and urban planning inequalities. In CAYC, she is excited about connecting with young voices and creating a stronger youth commission network in California.

Secretary, CAYC

Innovation of Innovation and Technology Subcommittee Vice Chair, CAYC

Youth Options Shasta Youth Action Council

Jaehee (Jay) is a 10th grader at University Preparatory School in Redding. She has 10 Instagram accounts! She says, "I hope to deepen my understanding of civic engagement and see visible progress in the legislation I'm supporting."

Treasurer, CAYC

Innovation and Technology Subcommittee Co-chair, CAYC

Treasurer, Hillsborough Youth Commission

Tanishk is a sophomore at Crystal Springs Uplands School. He is passionate about using technology to solve real problems in his community. As a member of the Age-Friendly Subcommittee at HYC, he helps organize programs that bring seniors into the heart of community life and supports them in using technology with confidence. He also applies his love of building and problem-solving to broader civic needs, from supporting local businesses with their technology challenges to designing a disaster-response app for city councils. Through CAYC, Tanishk hopes to contribute his voice to creating innovative, equitable solutions that improve the lives of youth across California.

Newsletter Editor, CAYC

Youth Commission Establishment Subcommittee Vice-Chair, CAYC

Livermore Youth Commission

Matthew is a senior at Granada High School in Livermore, where he serves on his city's local youth council advocating for youth participation in government and community engagement through planning and coordinating local events. In his free time, Matthew enjoys painting, playing the drums, and taking long walks.

Blog Editor, CAYC

Youth Commission Establishment Subcommittee, CAYC

Livermore Youth Commission

Anya is a student at Granada High School. She hopes to strengthen her leadership and advocacy skills while helping create projects that make a positive impact on youth across California.

Youth Commission Outreach Subcommittee Chair, CAYC

Vivaan is a sophomore at Crystal Springs Uplands School. He is passionate about advocating for climate policy and literacy. Through his work, he aims to empower more youth in California to gain a deeper understanding of environmental issues and take part in meaningful climate action. He is eager to strengthen the youth voice in policymaking, making sure students feel confident participating in civic conversations about sustainability. 

Conference Planning Subcommittee Chair, CAYC

Tarun is a sophomore at Crystal Springs Uplands School and is from Palo Alto.

Conference Planning Subcommittee Vice-Chair, CAYC

Lisbeth is a sophomore at Notre Dame High School in Belmont. She serves with the American Cancer Society's youth cohort, the society of emerging leaders, and she is currently working towards constructing a youth commission for San Bruno! She hopes to create and present stellar and engaging workshop and panelist sections on youth's medical rights, literacy and the power of canvassing to inspire our youth. She wants to help them drive the future by providing avenues to fearlessly speaking up for change.

Legislation Subcommittee Vice-Chair, CAYC

Hillsborough Youth Commission

Isabella is a junior at Menlo School. She is passionate about civic engagement, with a focus on policy, education, and reform around youth incarceration. Through the CAYC, she hopes to shape policies that support youth and equity in California. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, running, and reading books.

Conference Planning Subcommittee, CAYC

Brisbane Youth Advisory Committee

Sebastian is a freshman from Brisbane. He enjoys reading legislation. He is interested in positive change for youth and teens throughout California through advocating for mental health awareness and smart tech use.

Conference Planning Subcommittee, CAYC

Los Altos Hills Youth Commission

Nyssa is currently a senior at The Harker School. She is passionate about environmental science and sustainability. Through the CAYC, she hopes to make youth commissions throughout California more impactful and prevalent.

Youth Commission Outreach Subcommittee

Hillsborough Youth Commission

Alex is a senior at Crystal Springs Uplands School. He enjoys connecting people and creating more opportunities for different people to engage. He’s passionate about service, youth engagement, and making a tangible difference in the community. He is involved in initiatives that help build a stronger, more connected community through student government, Special Olympics, and the Young Men’s Service League. In his free time he enjoys playing and watching sports.

Legislation Subcommittee, CAYC

Carrie is a junior at Lynbrook High School in San Jose. She believes that young people bring unique insights and energy to civic conversations, and she is passionate about creating spaces where their voices are heard and valued. Committed to education equity, she strongly supports the power of civic engagement to create meaningful change in her community.

In her free time, she enjoys painting and writing, finding balance between her artistic pursuits and her commitment to community engagement. Through her creative practice, she explores the intersections of cross-cultural understanding and self-expression.

Conference Planning Subcommittee, CAYC

San Mateo County Youth Commission

Mira is a junior who lives in Millbrae. She is super excited to plan and facilitate an unforgettable conference. She can't wait to collaborate with such a passionate team, bring creative ideas to the table, and help build something impactful from the ground up. 

Newsletter Editor, CAYC

Legislation Subcommittee, CAYC

Social Media Director, CAYC

Youth Commission Outreach Subcommittee Vice-Chair, CAYC

Joshua is an junior at Woodbridge High School in Irvine.

Conference Planning Subcommittee Vice-Chair, CAYC

Legislation Subcommittee Secretary, CAYC

Nikhil is an 8th grader at the Nueva School.

Youth Commission Outreach Subcommittee, CAYC

Youth Commission Establishment Subcommittee, CAYC

Dawud is a junior at the Middle College program at West Valley College in Saratoga.

Youth Commission Outreach Subcommittee, CAYC

Michelle is a junior at Mission San Jose High School.

San Francisco Youth Commission (District 10)

Dewayne attends Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco and is currently a junior. He looks forward to being one of the representatives from the SF Youth Commission for this term of the California Association of Youth Commissions.

“This is such an amazing opportunity, and I’m ecstatic to begin working with you all!”

Legislation Subcommittee, CAYC

Legislation Subcommittee, CAYC

Innovation and Technology Subcommittee, CAYC

Legislation Subcommittee, CAYC

Maya is a freshman at Stanford Online High School. She is the founder of Mind on Trial, a youth-led nonprofit at the intersection of neuroscience, behavior, and law. She also runs Open Verdict, a literary journal pairing creative writing with neuroscience interpretation. Maya is deeply interested in how local government shapes outcomes for young people.

Legislation Subcommittee, CAYC

Youth Commission Establishment Subcommittee, CAYC

Conference Planning Subcommittee, CAYC

Youth Commission Establishment Subcommittee, CAYC

Legislation Subcommittee, CAYC

Innovation and Technology Subcommittee, CAYC

Legislation Subcommittee, CAYC

Youth Commission Establishment Subcommittee, CAYC

Conference Planning Subcommittee, CAYC

Innovation and Technology Subcommittee, CAYC

San Francisco Youth Commission (District 4)

“I am so excited to be one of the representatives of the SF Youth Commission this year on the California Association of Youth Commissions!”