Arcadia’s Best blogger and Arcadia High School freshman Emily Zheng has been chosen by The Young Democrats of America as one of only 48 students in the country to attend a High School Leadership Academy in Washington D.C. this summer.
Emily Zheng
The third annual four-day summer camp July 8 – 11 will focus on developing the next generation of Democratic Party leaders. YDA has been the official youth arm of the Democratic Party for 80 years.
Zheng was notified on May 11 by YDA chief of staff Heather Brown. In her e-mail, Brown told Zheng this year’s Academy will focus on preparing her to manage various aspects of a political campaign.
Zheng was also recently accepted as an intern for the campaign of local State Assembly candidate Edwin Chau, and was recognized May 11 as a Finalist in Congressman David Drier’s Youth Volunteer Awards during a ceremony at the Arcadia Community Center.
Emily Zheng, in light black jacket and black slacks, holding the fourth certificate from the left.
This YDA Leadership Academy is designed for high school students who are interested in getting an inside view of elections, the media, campaign finance, grassroots organizing, interest groups, the legislative process and careers in politics. Students will participate in leadership workshops and policy panels and will be introduced to the nation’s top Democratic elected officials and Party leaders.
Attendees will stay at the historic Phoenix Park Hotel on Capitol Hill and the trip will also include a guided tour of the Washington Monument, among other sites.