By Khalida Sarwari
Nine years ago, a group of Saratoga youth commissioners came together to bury a time capsule at a secret spot in Saratoga. Then they moved on to other cities, other plans and other aspirations. Next year, some of them plan to reunite to unearth the capsule.
Michael Byrne, 26, and Elhaum “Elli” Rezaii, 25, were part of that group. Today, Byrne lives in Willow Glen and works as a product manager at First Data in Mountain View.
With a master’s degree in public health under her belt, Rezaii recently moved to Hayward to further her studies in the field of health sciences at Cal State East Bay.
Both look back fondly at the school dances they helped coordinate, the workshops and conferences they led and the events they organized as youth commissioners between 2001 and 2008.
“It was a great foray into the workings of a city government,” said Byrne. “You wouldn’t necessarily know as a kid or even as an adult what goes on unless you get involved, so it was neat.”
For Byrne, who served on the commission for six years, starting when he was in the seventh grade at Redwood Middle School, among his favorite memories of that time is when youth commissioners went on a whitewater rafting excursion, participated in a sleepover at the Warner Hutton House and were recognized by the city council in his last year with the commission.
With the budget they were allocated from the city, he and his fellow commissioners helped run an after-school program and organize dances at the community center for middle school students, as well as a larger citywide street dance in downtown Saratoga. One year, they raised money by selling glow sticks at the dance.
He remembers that not every planned proposal went their way.
“I remember we were trying to get a skate park,” he recalls. “I don’t think we ever succeeded with that.”
He recalls the city council meetings he’d attend to provide his perspective on various issues. That helped him feel plugged into what was going on in his own city, an experience he now knows he wouldn’t have gotten any other way.
He said the experience helped him later in life at UCLA, where he majored in math, and then in his career. The youth commission helped him develop leadership skills, he said, and underscored the importance of giving back to one’s community. It gave him insight into the inner workings of city government and helped connect him with mentors. In fact, he said he still keeps in touch with some of his fellow commissioners, one of whom is now among his best friends.
For Rezaii, serving on the youth commission was a similarly formative experience. Rezaii joined as an eighth-grader, and during her five-year stint on the commission she held secretary and vice president positions.
“Honestly, it was an incredible experience,” she said. “It became a family. Everyone on the youth commission, all of our members–including Adam [Henig], who was our coordinator–we all had each other’s backs. It was really cool to work with all these different types of people for a common goal.”
Organizing school dances is also a favorite memory for Rezaii. She said she enjoyed the business aspect of putting such events together, such as learning how to procure a DJ, for example, but then once the event was underway, the commissioners could let loose and enjoy themselves along with the other kids.
Later, when she went off to UC-Davis to study biological sciences, Rezaii realized how valuable her youth commission experience really was. For one, she said she felt a lot more comfortable seeking out leadership roles–so much so, that in grad school she was president of a student council that helped bring leaders in public health to be keynote speakers on campus. The youth commission not only helped her learn how to plan and implement events but made her a better speaker, she said.
“Had it not been for my experience with running meetings and liaisons with key stakeholders, I don’t think our council would have been as successful as it was,” she said.
Both Byrne and Rezaii encourage students in Saratoga to consider joining the youth commission, while advising that doing so will require time and dedication.
“It’s not for someone that doesn’t want to put in effort because it does require time out of your personal life,” said Byrne. “But it’s well worth it and you learn a lot about the city.”
Rezaii said she, too, is an advocate for the youth commission, especially for the lessons she can draw upon years after leaving the group and Saratoga.
“This is one of the best ways to get to know your community, get to know your roots, and at the same time have an impact,” she said.
The city of Saratoga is recruiting for six positions on the youth commission with terms ending June 30, 2018. Interviews with candidates will be held in the late afternoon and evening of May 2 at Saratoga City Hall. Applications must be submitted to the city clerk’s office by 5 p.m. on April 20.
