Nominator said: “Saya is a 16-year-old student who moved to Berkeley just six months ago, but her impact on the community has already been profound. As a leader with a deep commitment to justice and service, she’s dedicated to uplift those around her.
Having played the violin for over a decade, Saya has given back to her communities by being a volunteer teacher for underserved elementary school kids for three years through The Harmony Project and Andover Lawrence Strings. She shares her love for music with care and joy, fostering confidence and joy in kids making music for the first time. Beyond music, she dedicates time as a tutor, providing free SAT boot camps for groups of high school students who lack access to private tutoring have the resources to succeed.
She has been working with One Fair Wage to kickstart a national student partner organization, raising awareness and pushing for legislation that guarantees a living wage for food service workers. She is also the founder and Editor-in-Chief of The National Youth Press. She first envisioned the project while working on campaigns for the 2024 election cycle, where she heard firsthand the personal stories that shaped voters’ beliefs. This inspired her to create a platform where students could publish their own lived experiences, bringing humanity back into political discourse.
Despite my having only known Saya since the start of this school year, I have felt and found myself being uniquely inspired by her drive towards and engagement with areas she is passionate about. She is an excellent leader, thinker, and I can clearly envision her as one of the world’s future change makers.”
