Canyon Crest Academy's Sarah Gao Selected to Represent California in the 2025 U.S. Senate Youth Program

Sarah Gao, a senior at Canyon Crest Academy in San Diego, has been selected as one of two extraordinary high school students to represent California in the 63rd annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP).

“We are incredibly proud to have Sarah represent San Diego in the U.S. Senate Youth Program,” said Dr. Gloria E. Ciriza, San Diego County Superintendent of Schools. “She has demonstrated a true passion for making positive changes in her community, and with her active involvement and leadership in environmental issues and social justice, she is an excellent representative for our region and the state. This latest accomplishment is just one of what will be many in her bright future.”

Gao is deeply involved within her school and community, is passionate about environmental issues, and hopes to someday help lead the state and the nation to a cleaner, greener future.

As a young emerging leader, she already holds various leadership roles, including: president of the School Site Council at Canyon Crest Academy where she leads the group on setting school goals, vice chair of the City of San Diego Youth Commission where she prepares climate and environmental reports for the mayor and city council, and founder/executive director of Coast2Canyon, which focuses on biodiversity, environmental education, and water quality. She is the founder of the National History Day Youth Leadership Council and directed a segment on voter registration to promote civic engagement, and created a documentary and exhibit for a museum on the Lemon Grove Incident. As the president of the San Diego Science Fair Student Board, she created the first science fair boot camp to closely mentor students from underrepresented backgrounds and created tutorials on how to participate.

Sponsored by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, the USSYP provides a yearly opportunity for selected students to gain an in-depth view of the U.S. Senate and the federal government overall as well as a deeper understanding of the interrelationship of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches, according to the national USSYP website, and provides a true partnership among government leaders, state and national education leaders, and America’s future leaders. The program provides a foundation of knowledge and encouragement for those considering a future in public service on the local, state, or national level.

Two student leaders from each state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity each receive a $10,000 undergraduate scholarship and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for Washington Week to meet and learn from high-level appointed and elected government officials from March 1–8, 2025.

For more information, visit the CDE USSYP website.