San Diego Student To Represent CA In U.S. Senate Youth Program

SAN DIEGO, CA — A San Diego high school senior was selected to represent California in the 63rd annual United States Senate Youth Program.

Sarah Gao, a senior at Canyon Crest Academy in San Dieguito Union High School District, was one of just two California students chosen for the competitive program, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced.

"I am incredibly proud of and impressed by these extraordinary students, who are doing so much in their schools and communities to make a difference in the lives of others," Thurmond said. "Their significant accomplishments speak to their impressive character and dedication. They will make excellent representatives for California."

Bode Gower of Hopland, a senior at Ukiah High School in the Ukiah Unified School District, was the other student selected for the program.

James Miller of Oxnard, a senior at Westlake High School in Conejo Valley Union High School District, was named as the first alternate. Sriya Srinivasan of Fairfield, a senior at Early College High School in Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District, was named as the second alternate.

Sponsored by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, the program provides selected students an opportunity to gain an in-depth view of the U.S. Senate and the federal government, as well as a deeper understanding of the interrelationship of the executive, legislative and judicial branches.

Two student leaders from each state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity each receive a $10,000 undergraduate scholarship and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to meet and learn from high-level appointed and elected government officials in March.

Gao is president of the School Site Council at Canyon Crest Academy, vice chair of the city of San Diego's Youth Commission, editor-in-chief of the school's magazine, and founder and executive director of Coast2Canyon, which focuses on biodiversity, environmental education and water quality. She is also founder of the National History Day Youth Leadership Council and president of the San Diego Science Fair Student Board.

"She plans to major in environmental engineering and public policy to forge a cleaner future for California and the nation," according to a synopsis from Thurmond's office. "She has a passion and curiosity for science and how the world works. Eventually, she would like to run for public office."