Hear from former MYAC Commissioners:
Surabhi Sajith attended Basis Ahwatukee and served on MYAC from 2019-2021. Surabhi was the administrative recorder for both years. Surabhi is currently a junior at ASU Barrett Honors College, studying Pre-Med. Surabhi said that MYAC gave her a stronger sense of community coming from a charter school. She felt like she could give back to the community and understand other students better. She gained a better understanding of policy and social issues and felt like she could apply her government class that she was taking in high school to real life settings. Surabhi still feels a strong sense of community and her ability to impact the community as a result of being in MYAC. She is still with the City of Tempe and continues to give back to the community, volunteering for College Connect Tempe and helping current high school students to achieve their future goals. When asked what advice she would give to current and prospective MYAC commissioners, she said to take advantage of every opportunity, including leadership opportunities even if they are considered small. Network, open up to others, and learn how to take constructive professional criticism.
Regan Hatch attended Marcos De NIza High School and Served on MYAC from 2017-2020. Regan held the chair position from 2019-2020. Regan graduated from Northern Arizona University. She is currently a teacher at Crockett Elementary School in Phoenix. Regan stated that she is grateful for the help she has received in starting her teaching career and learning how to ask for help was a valuable skill she learned in MYAC. She also discussed learning networking and leadership skills as the chair, and an increase in confidence. Regan’s advice to prospective commissioners is to “absolutely do MYAC if you are thinking about it”. She also shared that it is a great way to get involved, meet others, make a difference, and do things that scare you. Regan loved attending the meetings and the community that she was able to be a part of. She made “important connections” with other commissioners and city officials. She believes it is also a great thing to put on college applications and resumes!
Clara Moffitt attended Tempe Preparatory Academy and served on MYAC from 2016-2019. Clara held the Youth Town Hall Chair and Community Service Project Chair positions over her three years of serving on the commission. Clara is currently studying at the University of Pennsylvania in a dual degree program called the Huntsman Program for International Studies and Business. She is specifically studying International Studies and French, and Finance and Entrepreneurship abroad in France right now. When asked what important skills Clara took away from MYAC, she answered that it helped her a lot with organization and procedural skills in both academic and professional settings. She learned about parliamentary procedures, leading meanings, and respect in a professional environment. Clara also learned valuable skills from the chair positions that she held. She specifically learned how to coordinate venues, lead and facilitate meetings, teamwork, brainstorming, training others, networking, and communicating with important people. Her message to commissioners is that “You are in a unique position to make a tangible impact.” She also emphasized that “the city is where it starts” when it comes to advocacy. To prospective commissioners, she shared that this is a great opportunity to be able to make a change that you can see yourself. Taking a leadership position like this at a young age comes with learning valuable skills.
Sjaahn Washington is currently a senior at Tempe High School. She served on MYAC from 2019-2022, holding the positions of Vice Chair then Chair. Sjaahn was accepted into all the universities that she applied to but chose to pursue a degree in exercise physiology with a minor in Spanish at Northern Arizona University for the next academic year. She eventually wants to get a master’s in athletic training and sports medicine. Sjaahn is the student body vice president for all of Tempe High. She works at Culvers, has been the president of the Black Student Union for two years, is in the AVID college readiness course program, is an International Baccalaureate senior, is in the Fusion dance company, and has done “a couple of sports here and there”. In MYAC she learned how to be patient, understand different perspectives and, how to better communicate effectively. When asked what advice she would give to current or prospective commissioners, she said “It’s not always going to be easy planning these events or sacrificing time to do what you do, but it makes a difference. You might not feel it now, but you’ll feel it in the end.” She also mentioned the importance of maintaining a positive public image and being compassionate to others and understanding their side. She emphasized “Don’t have arguments, have discussions.”
