Pleasanton Student To Represent California As Senate Youth

PLEASANTON, CA — A Pleasanton high school student has been selected to represent California in the 58th annual United States Senate Youth Program.

Arushi Avachat, a senior at Foothill High School, and Violet Wang, a senior at Casa Grande High School in Petaluma, were selected for the honor by State Superintendent Tony Thurmond.

Thurmond will be recognizing the two students at a State Board of Education meeting in Sacramento next month.

The program, sponsored by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, provides Wang and Avachat with a $10,000 scholarship and the opportunity to attend a one-week, all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., from March 7-14 and receive an in-depth view of the Senate and federal government.

"These students have demonstrated exceptional leadership. I am impressed and inspired by what they have already accomplished in their young lives," Thurmond said. "They have a strong passion for public service and activism and desire to make a difference in the lives of others. I am
confident that they will make the most of this opportunity, continuing to make positive contributions, and be excellent representatives for California."

Thurmond also announced two alternates in the event that either Wang or Avachat or both cannot attend the trip to Washington, D.C. They are Olivia Brooke Sally, a senior from Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland, and Nathan Viotti, a senior from Menlo-Atherton High School in Atherton.

Two students from each state, as well as the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity are selected for the program. Students must be nominated by their high school principal and must be actively serving in an elected or appointed position at their schools to
qualify for the program.

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