4 EDCAL January 21, 2019
CDE names high school students to the 2019
United States Senate Youth Program
Outgoing Superintendent of Public
Instruction Tom Torlakson named two out-
standing high school students to represent
California in the 57th annual United States
Senate Youth Program, sponsored by the
William Randolph Hearst Foundation.
Lauren Kong of Rancho Palos Verdes
(Los Angeles County), a senior at Palos
Verdes Peninsula High School in the Palos
Verdes Unified School District, and Cindy
Aguilar-Castaneda of Gonzales (Monterey
County), a senior at Gonzales High School
in the Gonzales Unified School District,
were selected for their outstanding leader-
ship qualities, scholastic achievement, and
contributions to their schools and com-
munities.
“These outstanding students are among
the best and brightest leaders in their
schools and communities and have a heart
for public service,” Torlakson said. “They
are strong advocates who desire to make
our world a better place. I am amazed at all
they have done in their young lives and look
forward to seeing what they will accomplish
in their future. I know they will achieve
great things due to their commitment and
dedication. They make me optimistic for
our future.”
Torlakson also selected two alternates in
the event that one or both of the delegates
are unable to attend. The first alternate
is Channing Lee of Fullerton (Orange
County), a senior at Cornelia Connelly
School in Anaheim. The second alternate is
Gabriel Drill of La Cañada Flintridge (Los
Angeles County), a senior at La Cañada
High School in the La Cañada Unified
School District.
To qualify for the program, high school
juniors or seniors must be currently serving
in an elected or appointed leadership capac-
ity in a student government, civic or educa-
tional organization and express an interest
in pursuing a career in public service. They
are then nominated by their high school
principal.
A selection committee from the
California Department of Education
reviews eligible nominees, and Torlakson
selected the awardees based on the quality
of the application, demonstrated qualities of
leadership, academic achievement, involve-
ment in school and community activi-
ties, extracurricular activities, interpersonal
and communication skills, knowledge of
American government and history, and
commitment to public service.
The USSYP provides a yearly oppor-
tunity for selected students to gain an
in-depth view of the Senate and the fed-
eral government overall as well as a deeper
understanding of the legislative, judicial
and executive branches, according to the
national site. The program provides a foun-
dation of knowledge and encouragement for
those who wish to pursue a career in public
service.
Two student leaders from each state, the
District of Columbia, and the Department
of Defense Education Activity each receive
a $10,000 scholarship and attend a one-
week all-expenses paid trip to Washington,
D.C. from March 2-19.
For more information, please visit the
CDE’s United States Senate Youth Program
webpage at https://www.cde.ca.gov/eo/in/
us/index.asp.
The following are synopses compiled
from their applications:
Lauren Kong — Delegate Channing Lee – First Alternate
Cindy Aguilar-Castaneda – Delegate Gabriel Drill – Second Alternate
Lauren Kong is a senior at Palos Verdes
Peninsula High School in the Palos Verdes
Unified School District and currently serves
as the Student Member of the Palos Verdes
Peninsula Unified School District Board of
Education. She was also a top three finalist
for the Student Member position on the
California State Board of Education. A
certified welder by the American Welding
Society, Lauren volunteers for a non-profit
that rehabilitates former gang members
and inmates in the Los Angeles area. She
plans to double major in political science
and mechanical engineering in college, and
combine her two passions to draft effective
legislation to help utilize technology to
revolutionize society and do good.
Cindy Aguilar-Castaneda is a senior
at Gonzales High School in the Gonzales
Unified School District. She is a Youth
Commissioner with the Gonzales Youth
Council, the official youth advisory group
to the Gonzales City Council and Gonzales
Unified School District. She is a found-
er and mentor of Mentoring in New
Dimensions (MIND), a peer-mentoring
club that focuses on first-generation college
students. She would like to attend Stanford
University and major in political science
and public policy, ultimately obtaining a
Ph.D. As a first-generation college student
and the first to graduate high school in her
family, Cindy desires to work with state
and federal politicians to implement new
policies and connect them to members of
disadvantaged communities.
Channing Lee is a senior at Cornelia
Connelly School in Anaheim and is
Associated Student Body President at her
school. She is Editor-in-Chief of her school
newspaper, involved with the Mock Trial
team, and is active in drama, music, and
volleyball. An American Protégé piano
competition winner, she has performed at
Carnegie Hall twice. Channing hopes to
attend Yale or Georgetown University and
major in international relations followed by
a law degree to further equip herself with
skills necessary for a career in public service.
She wants to give back to her community
by helping others, whether as a lawyer fight-
ing for justice or as a diplomat striving to
improve American interests abroad.
Gabriel Drill is a senior at La Cañada
High School in the La Cañada Unified
School District. He was appointed through
a competitive selection process to serve
as Chair of the La Cañada City Youth
Council. He is active in the YMCA Youth
and Government Program, serving as
Delegation President for the fourth year in
a row. He volunteers at a residential shelter
for women and children and assembles care
packages for veterans and military individu-
als stationed overseas. Gabriel would like to
attend Yale and pursue dual degrees in pub-
lic policy and business followed by graduate
school. His future goals include starting a
non-profit to research a cure for diabetes
and serving as the Chairman of the Council
of Economic Advisers, helping to formulate
domestic and international economic poli-
cies to better our nation and the world.
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