Meet your 2025-2026 LA City Youth Council members!
Leeda graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a major in Global Health and a minor in Urban Studies and Planning. Her vision for the future of the City of Los Angeles is a city where every resident feels supported and has the opportunity to thrive. As a member of the LA City Youth Council, she hopes to amplify youth and underrepresented voices in decision-making spaces and advance policies that address and reflect the diverse needs of the various communities in LA.
Leeda represents Council District 1.
Desteny attends UCLA, majoring in Chicana/o/x and Central American Studies with a minor in Public Affairs. Before that, she attended Los Angeles Community College, where she completed two Associate Degrees. Her vision for the future of Los Angeles is to see a city where education, access to resources, and social equity are prioritized, especially for underserved communities. She envisions a future where young people have access to the support they need to thrive and flourish. As a member of the youth council, she wants to amplify the voices of her community and advocate for change, empowering the next generation of young leaders to strive for success.
Desteny represents Council District 2.
Sophia is a senior at North Hollywood High School and a resident of Valley Village. She is passionate about healthcare and public policy, with the goal of building stronger, more equitable systems. Her vision for a future Los Angeles is one that safeguards the wellbeing of its youth through robust city resources that foster growth and achievement. As a youth councilmember, she strives to amplify diverse voices, strengthen civic engagement, and develop impactful public programming for Angeleno youth.
Sophia represents Council District 2.
Antonio attends California State University, Northridge. He is majoring in public health and has interests in environmental science. Antonio envisions a healthier City of Los Angeles. He sees Los Angeles as a place where all residents can lead healthy lives and enjoy more green spaces. Antonio hopes to learn how he can help lead change in public policy. He wants to advocate for accessible healthcare for all Los Angeles residents and ensure that health is a top priority.
Antonio represents Council District 3.
Devon is a junior at Larchmont Charter School, where he dedicates himself to studying political science, international relations, and the humanities. Devon's vision for the City of Los Angeles is a place where city leaders deeply invest in their youth by teaching leadership skills and innovation to all communities, regardless of racial or socioeconomic barriers. He believes that increased dedication to youth development and civic engagement will lead to more effective and homegrown solutions for the present and future challenges facing Los Angeles. As a member of the LA City Youth Council, Devon aims to pave the way for more mentorship and guidance for young people, helping to cultivate the leaders of tomorrow.
Devon represents Council District 4.
Lielt is a graduate of Bucknell University, where she earned a degree in International Relations. She envisions a Los Angeles where policy initiatives, such as housing, education, and immigration, are developed in partnership with the communities directly affected. As a member of the LA City Youth Council, she aims to expand multilingual resources and strengthen youth engagement to ensure that all communities can navigate city services effectively and have the tools they need to become active participants in the city’s decision-making processes.
Lielt represents Council District 4.
Madeline is a current senior at Marlborough School and a resident of Hollywood. She is passionate about the intersection of democracy and climate change, a commitment that has driven her research on disaster-recovery policy. Her vision for Los Angeles is a city where sustainability is implemented across diverse communities, balancing green growth with the preservation of greenspace. As a youth councilmember, she seeks to increase youth voter registration, raise awareness about the importance of local government, and engage in meaningful dialogue with elected officials to shape policies that support civic participation and environmental resilience.
Madeline represents Council District 4.
Sophia is a current high school junior at Harvard-Westlake School with a passion for international relations, educational equality and gun safety. She envisions a future LA where youth and marginalized voices are heard and the city is an equal, safe space for all. In achieving these goals, Sophia hopes to bridge communities in LA, serve as a vessel between herself and her community members, and share resources and information with the youth in her neighborhood.
Sophia represents Council District 5.
Lucia is currently a junior at Marlborough School and is passionate about immigrant rights, youth advocacy, and expanding access to education. She understands the importance of uplifting young voices, and recognizes the sheer power youth have to shape a more inclusive, equitable world. As an LA City Youth Council member, she hopes to create concrete platforms for deeper youth participation in policymaking, expand mutual aid networks that provide basic necessities through community organizing, and serve as a meaningful representative for the needs and unique perspectives of young Angelenos. She envisions and works towards a Los Angeles where students feel safe and have the resources to pursue their passions, and where more people feel connected to one another and to their city.
Lucia represents Council District 5.
Shem is a globetrotter, currently a senior at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University with a major in BS Aeronautics and a minor in Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS). As a youth council member of CD 5, Shem looks forward to learning and contributing to how the LA City Council operates and addresses issues such as clean environment, youth activities engagement, and affordable housing. He looks forward to working closely with political leaders to drive meaningful change within his council district and across California.
Shem represents Council District 5.
Amy currently attends Los Angeles Valley College and is a proud monarch. She is majoring in political science and hopes to transfer to a similar field. Amy hopes for Los Angeles to become civically engaged, environmentally sustainable, and inclusive for everyone. Amy is excited to learn more about the inner workings of government and how to efficiently implement effective policies.
Amy represents Council District 6.
Rebekah attends Cal State University Northridge working on an M.A. in Anthropology. She envisions a Los Angeles that looks similar to the one we have now, with a stronger focus and pride in diversity, unity, and creativity. She would love to see a city where working-class people are able to not just survive, but thrive in the city that they love. She wants to see an LA that protects its locals so they can enjoy all the city has to offer. Rebekah wants to uplift the voices of the youth community to make them feel heard and prioritized.
Rebekah represents Council District 6.
Allison is a Junior at Granada Hills Charter High School in the Global Business and Finance program. She is an International Baccalaureate diploma candidate and an aspiring lawyer focusing on intellectual property and immigration rights. Her aim is to major in political science or economics while continuing humanitarian work, such as volunteering, hosting her women's advocacy podcast/newsletter, and developing resource accessibility platforms for youth through panels and community awareness projects.
As a council member, she aims to be proud and supportive of her community, especially her Hispanic community in the greater LA area. Through the youth council, she strives to inspire young community members to value themselves and care about others.
Allison represents Council District 7.
Mailie currently attends Granada Hills Charter High School as a senior. Next fall, she intends to attend a four-year university to study Criminal Justice with a minor in Political Science. She has aspirations of becoming an FBI agent or a politician. She wants to bring unseen perspectives into her community as well as fight for second chances and opportunities. As a LA City Youth Council member she intends to do her best to fight for others' voices, equality and justice.
Mailie represents Council District 7.
Emily is a junior at Foshay Learning Center who aspires to major in environmental engineering in college. She is passionate about sustainability, civic engagement, and finding innovative solutions to improve communities across Los Angeles.
Her vision for the future of Los Angeles is a city where youth are empowered to actively participate in civic life, where streets are safer and more accessible, and where environmental protections are prioritized across all neighborhoods, especially in historically underserved areas. She envisions a greener, cleaner, and more equitable Los Angeles that uplifts every community.
As a member of the LA City Youth Council, Emily hopes to amplify youth voices, bring fresh perspectives to city decision making, and advocate for initiatives that address climate change, public safety, and equity. She strives to contribute to meaningful development that will have a lasting impact for generations to come.
Emily represents Council District 8.
Marit is a senior at Geffen Academy at UCLA who plans to major in Global Health and Public Policy. Her vision for the future of the City of Los Angeles is one where every community benefits from cleaner air, greener spaces, and climate-resilient infrastructure. She hopes to see a city that continues to thrive through its cultural richness while leading in environmental justice and sustainability, ensuring a healthy and vibrant future for generations to come.
As a member of the LA City Youth Council, she hopes to advocate for policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, and extreme heat in underserved neighborhoods, while ensuring community voices help shape a more sustainable and healthier Los Angeles.
Marit represents Council District 8.
Luna is a senior at Brentwood School who plans to pursue a career in government and public policy. She views public service as a practice of attention and care, measured by whether people feel seen and informed. She believes the best use of any role is to open the door wider and make room for more voices. In that spirit, she seeks to elevate perspectives that often go unheard and to present them clearly and respectfully whenever she is given the opportunity.
As a council member, she hopes to represent her community with accuracy and humility, and to work diligently to bring residents and the city government closer together. Her vision for LA is a city that meets people where they are and invites them in. She deeply believed that when barriers are lowered, the standard for clear communication is raised, and everyone moves forward together.
Luna represents Council District 9.
Moy is a senior at the University of Southern California, majoring in Political Science. His biggest hope is to inspire more young individuals to become active in government and politics. Some areas of interest include youth advocacy, housing/housing rights, jobs, transportation, and economic development. His ideal future for Los Angeles stems from what it has always been and will always be: a melting pot of ideas, cultures, and people.
Moy's goal as a member of the LA City Youth Council is to make this melting pot more accessible to the youth and next generation of our residents. Moreover, making Los Angeles a more accessible and reliable place to live and work is an opportunity the City is missing as people move farther from the city center.
Moy represents Council District 9.
Eldana is currently a senior at University High School Charter, and she plans to pursue a double major in Neuroscience and Political Science with a minor in Health Policy. Her vision for the future of Los Angeles centers on creating a city where mental health resources are truly accessible to all youth, particularly those in underserved communities, and where young people have meaningful pathways to both civic engagement and STEM careers.
She believes Los Angeles can become a model city that demonstrates how scientific research can directly inform policy decisions that improve lives. As a member of the LA City Youth Council, Eldana hopes to bridge her extensive research background with grassroots advocacy to amplify youth voices in mental health policy and educational equity discussions.
Eldana represents Council District 10.
Jakob attends Alexander Hamilton Senior High School and is in the Humanities Magnet SLC. His area of interest and desired future major is political science and public policy. He envisions a city where the voices of youth rise up to an equal level with those of adults, where more programs are implemented to help those in need, food insecurity is fixed, there are more green spaces, housing for those in need is easier to find, and mental health resources are commonplace. The LA communities can work together towards these goals and more.
He hopes to make a significant change to our city by representing the voices of the youth through collaboration on the council and communicating our thoughts to policymakers to effect tangible change.
Jakob represents Council District 10.
Julian is currently a senior attending Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles High School. He intends to study Political Science and International Relations in college. He envisions a more affordable Los Angeles where equality of opportunity is guaranteed for all its residents regardless of socio-economic background. As a member of the LA City Youth Council, Julian wants to use his voice to get more youth involved in local government, along with being able to advocate for youth issues, such as adolescent mental health, through the council's policy recommendations.
Julian represents Council District 11.
Oscar is a junior at North Hollywood High School, and his subjects of interest are international relations, global affairs, and humanities. His vision for the future of Los Angeles is a city in which cultural heritage is preserved and celebrated, homelessness is effectively addressed, and specialized education is accessible to all youth.
As a member of the LA City Youth Council, he hopes to strengthen cultural connections across LA's diverse communities and advocate for solutions to housing and equity challenges that make the city more inclusive and sustainable. He hopes to accomplish these while gaining valuable knowledge of public policy and civic work, which are essential to creating effective change.
Oscar represents Council District 11.
Neil is a senior at Granada Hills Charter High School with an interest in Computer Science and Economics. As a community member of Los Angeles and a member of the Los Angeles Youth Council, Neil hopes to increase civic engagement and encourage youth to rally and advocate against problems in his community. His vision of LA is a united one, filled with advocacy and equality.
Neil represents Council District 12.
Ava is currently a first-year student at UCLA majoring in Public Health. Her vision for the future of Los Angeles is one founded on accessibility, equity, and advocacy to ensure adequate access to health technologies and sanitary products. With a powerful board of passionate council members from one of the most diverse cities in the nation, Ava wishes to encourage young leaders to help those in need, be inclusive, and mindful of the various personal circumstances of vulnerable community members.
Ava represents Council District 12.
Jasper is currently a senior at Polytechnic School in Pasadena, and he is looking forward to studying either Political Science or Economics in college. He envisions a Los Angeles that welcomes people from all walks of life, with a city government whose main priority is serving its residents.
Whether it's expanding access to public transportation or finding sustainable solutions to homelessness, Jasper wants to see a Los Angeles where everyone can live a dignified life. He is excited to learn more about the inner workings of the city and hopes to uplift the Echo Park community through the perspective he has gained growing up there.
Jasper represents Council District 13.
Anthony attends Cal State University, Los Angeles and is majoring in Business with a focus on Accounting. He envisions a future for Los Angeles where youth of all ages are supported and thriving. He hopes to be the voice for those who can not speak up.
Anthony represents Council District 14.
Shelcy is a Sociology major at East Los Angeles College with a deep passion for mental health awareness, social justice, mentorship, and empowering youth in underserved communities. Growing up in Ramona Gardens, a low-income public housing area, she understands the challenges many young people face and is committed to being a source of guidance and support. Her dream is to work with high school students as a school counselor or advisor, helping them feel seen, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential.
Shelcy envisions a future for Los Angeles where every young person no matter their background has access to opportunities, resources, and safe spaces to thrive. As a member of the LA City Youth Council, she hopes to uplift the voices of youth in her community, advocate for equity and access, and continue growing as a leader who makes a lasting positive impact.
Shelcy represents Council District 14.
Adrian currently attends Los Angeles Harbor College, majoring in Political Studies. His vision for the future of Los Angeles is a government structure that is responsive, transparent, and accessible to the needs of everyday Angelenos. Born and raised in the "One-Five" and now a representative, he wants to be a voice for the critical issues affecting the Harbor Area. Adrian wishes to focus on two specific areas while on the Youth Council: economic development and policy shaping.
For economic development, Adrian wants to support small businesses and collaborate with the Port of Los Angeles. He strongly believes that small businesses give San Pedro, Wilmington, and Harbor City their identity and keep the local economy alive. Adrian advocates for cutting red tape and increasing access to resources, while also collaborating with the Port of Los Angeles to drive economic growth that works for the people who live and work in the Harbor Area. He aims to advocate for port operations to bring good-paying local jobs, cleaner operations, and real investment back into the community.
Adrian is excited to have the opportunity to shape policies that impact the entire city, from housing and transportation to public safety and education. He is committed to ensuring that the Harbor Area has a strong voice in these decisions, to get the resources and support they need to thrive.
Adrian represents Council District 15.
Sarah attends Los Angeles Harbor College, majoring in Administration of Justice, with the intent to transfer to a four-year university. She wants to pursue a career as an FBI investigator. She sees the future of the city of Los Angeles as more united between youth and city leaders. She believes that youth are the future of LA and that they need a stronger voice in policy decisions that affect them and their future.
Sarah represents Council District 15.