YD Student Volunteers - League of Women Voters of Oakland

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YOUth DECIDE Student Volunteers

High school and/or community college students work with YOUth DECIDE as Student Volunteers to:

Plan a student-led voter registration drive at their school.
Ask their teacher or club advisor to contact YOUth DECIDE and request a voter education presentation at their school.
Help design and/or deliver a voter education presentation.
Create voter education posters for Oakland schools.
Contribute to YOUth DECIDE Webpage content.
Encourage family and friends to register to vote.
Join civics or voter advocacy clubs at their school.

Learn More Student Volunteer Application

Meet Our Past and Present YOUth DECIDE Student Volunteers

Francesca
Georgetown University
Class of 2026

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Francesca

As a teenager, I chose to join the League of Women Voters Oakland to get involved in the election without being able to vote myself. My involvement over the next two years became so much more as the work unveiled the voter disenfranchisement and lack of voter education within my community, igniting new passions and a commitment to civic engagement.

My most memorable moment with the League was speaking to students during our high school classroom presentations. It was inspiring to see their passion and enthusiasm and the breadth of issues they cared about!

Francesca

Jacqueline
University of California, Berkeley
Class of 2029

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Jacqueline

I joined the League of Women Voters Oakland because I am passionate about making an impact in my community. I believe everyone deserves to have their voice heard and want to help people feel empowered to make educated decisions.

What I've been most touched by during my time with the League is the amazing community that has formed around this organization. All of these women have come together to volunteer their time because they are truly passionate, driven and dedicated to the work they do, and it is truly inspiring to be around them and witness their commitment.

Lucia

Lucia
University of San Diego
Class of 2028

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Lucia

I joined the League of Women Voters my Junior year of high school. It’s such an amazing experience to channel my passion for voting equality into tangible events within my community. Through the League, I have learned so much about the importance of community outreach, cooperation and above all the importance of protecting democracy.

A memorable experience I’ve had is organizing voting registration drives at my high school and promoting voting education and access.

Lucia

Mira
University of Pennsylvania
Class of 2029

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Mira

I chose to volunteer with League of Women Voters Oakland because I am passionate about creating political change and inspiring others to vote, especially since I am not able to yet. I think that often people feel that they do not know much about the voting process or believe that their vote doesn't matter, and I joined the League to help change that.

I have loved creating a video for the League’s Instagram to motivate voters to be involved in local and national politics.

Omar

Omar
University of Southern California
Class of 2029

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Omar

The League of Women Voters serves us all the opportunity to make voter education more known in our local communities. It is not enough to show people how to vote. We must illustrate why they should vote and why their vote matters.

I have joined the League of Women Voters as just one young man of color aiming to inspire a revolution of values in the spirits of others. We need representation of young men of color in leadership if we are to fight for democracy as a whole.

Sophiella
University of Pennsylvania
Class of 2029

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Sophiella

As a recent graduate of Oakland Tech's Race, Policy, and Law Academy and an incoming Political Science major in college, the opportunity to volunteer with the League of Women Voters Oakland (LWVO) has increased my experience in the field. I met the wonderful and passionate women working with LWVO during a registration workshop in October at my school and began volunteering with the YOUth DECIDE team after that.

As a volunteer, I have helped inform and register over 200 students at my school to vote in the school board election. I feel I have created tangible effects in the civic knowledge and actions of my peers within my community..

Springfield
LWVO member
Voter Services

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Springfield

My name is Exprinfil Esquivel Manriquez or better known by Springfield. I was born in Michoacan, Mexico, and have spent part of my life living in Everett, Washington, and the other part in Oakland, California. I am a current DACA recipient with a passion in both the medical field and political science. Growing up, I had the opportunity to be a part of the Mandela Academy at Fremont High School which sparked my interest in public health and state legislation. By the time I graduated in the class of 2017, I had been made aware of how important it is to advocate for what is right and for the well being of the community.

Shortly after graduating, I joined the League of Women Voters Oakland in 2023, and I am currently a participant with YOUth DECIDE which advocates and educates youth to vote and informs the community on current and upcoming laws that will be added to the ballots. As a DACA recipient, I am not able to vote, but I strongly advise those who can to vote on legislation that will benefit not only themselves but also the community in which we are all a part.

Lucia

Soleena
Brown University
Class of 2026

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Soleena

Community Youth Collaborations

Learn how Oakland's MLK Freedom Center supports personal transformation through community participation along with multi-media resources.

Learn about Bay Area Student Activists (BAStA), an entirely student-led organization that aims to make positive change on a social and legislative level.

Meet Oakland’s All City Council Governing Board and how their voices impact decisions within Oakland Unified School District.