Home > Constituent Services > Student Advisory Council

Student Advisory Council

My 15th Congressional District Student Advisory Council (SAC) is a signature program, designed to actively engage high school students in government affairs and socio-political issues.

SAC was established in the fall of 2001 with energetic and public service-minded high school students representing public and private schools throughout the 15th District. Originally intended to be a forum in which members could increase their awareness of and involvement in government affairs, research a specific issue or problem of importance to youth, and author a report on this issue delineating relevant concerns and offering possible solutions, SAC has evolved into a dynamic body that accomplishes all these goals and more. Participating in community service projects together as a group was another tradition established during the first year.

SAC Activities

Each year, the council sponsors a conference for Bay Area high school youth which addresses a contemporary teen issue and encourages students to provide feedback, and to get involved in that issue. Past conferences have included 2007’s VOICE: Values of Informed Civic Engagement, which encouraged volunteerism and community engagement, 2008’s Viva Verde, which discussed ways for students and young people to reduce their carbon footprints, and 2009’s It’s Right…To Know Your Rights, which discussed the rights of minors, and how students can make sure their rights are protected.

In addition to the annual conference, SAC members also participate in a number of community service and other activities throughout the year. Some of these activities include the annual holiday toy giveaway at Sacred Heart Community Services, a Halloween safety event through Safe From the Start, and Human Agenda’s annual Hunger Banquet.

2010 SAC Conference

This year’s conference will take place on May 16, 2010, from 1:00 to 4:00pm. This year’s SAC has chosen to focus on student stress and its causes, including school-related stress, relationship- and family-related stress, and social media related stresses like media addiction and internet bullying. The event will feature a number of speakers, including myself, as well as games, videos, and discussion groups on each topic. SAC members will also present some of the information that the council has found in its research over the last year.

The conference will be located at Cupertino Community Hall, located at 10350 Torre Ave, Cupertino, CA. Students and young people from throughout the South Bay are encouraged to attend. Click here to download the flyer for this event .

Join SAC

If you or someone that you know will be a high school student either living in or attending school in the 15th Congressional District and are interested in actively participating in the governmental process, expressing and shaping your opinions with other youth, and gaining more insight into how the American government functions, consider applying for membership on the Student Advisory Committee.

In addition to the unique opportunity and experience gained working with a congressional office and bonding with youth from other schools, students will receive a letter of recommendation from me at the end of the school year.

Each fall, application forms are distributed to student activities directors and principals of 15th District high schools. Interested students should request an application from their school upon returning from summer vacation. Applications are accepted through the second week in September. Each school is entitled to have 2 student representatives on the SAC and is responsible for the selection of their members, and High School students of all backgrounds and interests are welcome. Please contact Danielle Duong or Ashley Roybal of my District Office at 1999 South Bascom Avenue, Suite 815, Campbell, CA 95008 (telephone (408) 558-8085) for more information.