VCUSD Students Represent Vallejo at National Youth Summit

Vallejo, Calif.—Vallejo City Unified School District (VCUSD) students recently took part in the Vallejo Youth Delegation, representing the City of Vallejo at the National League of Cities Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. Following their return, students presented a report to the Vallejo City Council and community members, sharing key takeaways from their experience and highlighting lessons learned about leadership, civic engagement, and community problem-solving.

During the conference, students participated in workshops focused on communication, public planning, accessibility, and emerging topics such as artificial intelligence.

“We talked about how AI is becoming more involved in everyday life, especially in education, hiring, and social media, and why it’s important to have regulations in place to make sure it’s being used responsibly,” said Zirva Irshad, Associated Student Body (ASB) President at Vallejo High School.

Students also took part in interactive activities inside the conference Expo Hall, where they engaged with exhibitors showcasing programs, technology, and services that support cities across the country. Working in teams, students spoke directly with vendors to identify solutions related to homelessness, climate change, public safety, and youth services.

“I first learned about JustServe at the Expo Hall and was excited to learn about the benefits it could bring to our school system here in Vallejo,” said Ibrahim Edais, Vallejo High School student. “My goal now is to help champion this platform and explore how it could connect with our district.”

Beyond workshops, students connected with youth from other states and attended sessions alongside city leaders and elected officials.

“The great thing about attending the adult sessions was being surrounded by city council members, mayors, and legislators from across the country,” said Beroj Arbab, VCUSD Student Trustee from Jesse Bethel High School. “We were able to ask questions, follow up, and bring ideas back to Vallejo about how we can continue improving our city.”

As part of the trip, students toured the University of Utah, exploring campus life, academic programs, and robotics labs, including the Dynamic Autonomous Robotics Lab (DARC Lab).

“The visit helped us understand that choosing a university isn’t just about academics,” said Sonia Valdez, VCUSD Student Trustee from Vallejo High School. “Feeling connected often depends on whether your values and identity are acknowledged and supported.”

The Vallejo Youth Delegation is an ongoing collaborative partnership between the City of Vallejo and the Vallejo City Unified School District, facilitated through the 2x2 Committee. The eight-student delegation is selected through a competitive application and evaluation process involving school staff, City staff, and members of both the Vallejo City Council and VCUSD Board of Education. Spots on the delegation are also reserved for VCUSD Student Trustees.

This marked the sixth Vallejo Youth Delegation trip, with a total of 45 students representing Vallejo through the program to date. The next Youth Delegation trip is scheduled for March, when students will travel to Washington, DC.

2025 Vallejo Youth Delegation Students

• Zirva Irshad – Vallejo High School

• Renee-Elise Meneses – Jesse Bethel High School

• Kwamé King – John Finney High School

• Hector Tinocoplancarte – Vallejo High School

• Ibrahim Edais – Vallejo High School

• Zanyah Deleon – John Finney High School (VCUSD Student Trustee)

• Beroj Arbab – Jesse Bethel High School (VCUSD Student Trustee)

• Sonia Valdez – Vallejo High School (VCUSD Student Trustee)