Youth Commissioners

Milan Shah, Chair

Milan Shah is a high school student in San Diego with a passion for improving his community. He is the founder of www.reelvoices.org, a student-led storytelling film project that amplifies youth voices. He was first inspired by his interviews with high school students at the El Cajon Valley Community Center who have overcome immeasurable obstacles just to arrive in the United States. That experience, combined with his work at several nonprofits in San Diego focused on serving refugees and vulnerable youth, led him to combine his passion for film with his pursuit to create a more equitable and inclusive community. Milan has created award-winning movies. At Westview High School, he is president of the Film Club and a member of both the Mock Trial and Tennis Teams. Outside of school, Milan is a Youth Attorney with the police department and presents cases in front of a judge and jury. He is a paid fellow for the UC San Diego Youth Ambassador-Scholar Program, iCivics, and Learning 4 Equity, which all focus on community-based equity and education. He is proud to serve as a youth member of the San Diego Human Relations Commission and as Chair of the Youth Commission. 

Sarah Gao, Vice Chair

Sarah Gao is a senior at Canyon Crest Academy and the Vice Chair of the Youth Commission. She is passionate about environmental science, chemistry and public policy. She presented her research in environmental engineering at the Regeneron ISEF. Over the summer, Sarah conducted research in biochemistry at Indiana University. At school, she serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Catalyst Science Magazine and is the Vice President of the School Site Council. Sarah has four siblings and enjoys taking photos and making films.

Princess Dunn

Princess Dunn is currently a freshman at East Village Middle College High School. She currently volunteers in their student body association. Last year, she was voted ASB President at KIPP Adelante Middle School, where she also competed and earned the Spelling Bee Champion title for two consecutive years. Additionally, she co-founded the “I AM ME” scholarship program with her mom and brother, which supports and celebrates inner-city college-bound high school seniors who have encountered and overcome bullying, as well as provides collegiate financial support. She is an active participant in the Detour FANCY (Focused And Naturally Confident Youth) leadership program, which is a life-changing program that motivates young ladies to achieve academic excellence, provides a source of education and arts, and allows a platform for exploring career and academic interests. Princess also devotes her energies to advocating for culturally matched mental health resources for youth, conflict resolution services such as mediation, and safe school and home environments for youth. Her goals are to attend a major university, play basketball and become a world-renowned investigator who transforms how crimes against children are handled. She attributes her strength, intellect, leadership and ambition as a testament to her brave mom, an educator, who gave birth to her on a freeway 14 years ago.

Vinayak Venugopal

Vinayak Venugopal is a sophomore at Mission Bay High School who is passionate about giving back to the community in which he lives. He has been an avid chess player since middle school and recently won the "Under 2100" player award at the 2024 American Open tournament. He is a US Chess Federation Candidate Master with a rating of 2050. Vinayak started a chess club at his local library and coaches young children in the game.

In the summer of 2024, he served as an intern for the County Recorder/Clerk’s Office, assisting clients with filing forms, submitting document requests, and e-commerce. He continues to work at the office three days a week after school, further serving his community.

His academic interests include STEM and Finance. He runs a monthly Finance news segment in the school’s student newsletter, Buc Bulletin, and a video series on Buc TV. Vinayak is actively involved in several clubs at school, holding leadership roles in Model UN, Academic League, Youth Advocates, and Debate Club. He was nominated by his school and selected to attend the HOBY Youth Leadership seminar at UCSD next year.

Vinayak is proud to serve on the Youth Commission and hopes to make significant contributions.

The City of San Diego’s Youth Commission is a crucial advisory body that bridges the gap between young residents and the city's leadership. Its primary objectives include:

Advisory Expertise: The commission offers youth-led insights and recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on various important matters such as education, employment, housing, and mental health.

Amplifying Youth Voices: It serves as a dedicated platform to ensure the diverse voices and perspectives of San Diego's youth are actively considered in municipal decision-making processes.

Empowering Youth Advocacy: Through active participation, it empowers young individuals to advocate for change, enabling them to contribute directly to shaping policies that affect their lives and futures.

Building Skills and Knowledge: Members benefit from valuable educational opportunities in civic engagement, public policy, leadership, and networking.

Community Engagement: Participating in the Youth Commission fosters a sense of community and collaboration among like-minded young individuals who share a commitment to improving the city.