Teen Commission

2024-2025 Cupertino Teen Commissioners

Shivika Biswari - Chair Term Ending: 8/31/25 I like to play golf in my spare time. Golf is a sport which allows me to challenge myself, and spend time in nature! I enjoy listening and learning Indian Classical music. I am honored to serve as a Cupertino Teen commissioner, and being a voice for teens in our city!
Peter Chen - Vice Chair Term Ending: 8/31/25 I love meeting new people and I hope that you’ll feel free to contact me about anything that’s on your mind! In my free time, I like swimming, playing superhero (aka being a lifeguard). I love eating and trying out new foods!"
Chelsea Lau Term Ending: 8/31/26 I enjoy playing tennis and volleyball. I like to play guitar and sing. I like public speaking and meeting new people.
Harly Liu Term Ending: 8/31/26 I love playing volleyball! I love reading and my favorite genre is historical fiction. I speak 3 languages (English, Bengali, and Hindi) and am learning 2 (Spanish and Japanese) currently.
Anika Mukherjee Term Ending: 8/31/25 I love playing volleyball! I love reading and my favorite genre is historical fiction. I speak 3 languages (English, Bengali, and Hindi) and am learning 2 (Spanish and Japanese) currently.
Rohin Garg Term Ending: 8/31/25 I love traveling and have visited over 20 countries. Phineas and Ferb has been my favorite show for over 10 years. I can eat pizza every day without ever getting bored of it.
Anushree Misra  Term Ending: 8/31/26 I want to be a part-time tea taster someday. I enjoy trying new kinds of cheese. Bluey is my and my brother's favorite show.
Brianna Su Term Ending: 8/31/26 I am a passionate lover of pickles.  I am allergic to cats, but I have a cat named Miso. I look forward to serving as a Teen Commissioner.

Teen Commission Requirements: 

• Cupertino residents, incoming 8th-11th graders. Members may be in 12th grade during their term, but seniors are not eligible to apply
• Knowledgeable about City issues and school resources.
• Passionate about community representation
• Committed to promoting initiatives and attending meetings (typically second Wednesday of each month. 
• Able to dedicate significant time to projects
• Professional, collaborative, and accessible
• Willing to engage with City Council and other commissions

Teen Commission Recruitment is currently closed.

Questions regarding the Teen Commission Application can be directed to cityclerk@cupertino.gov.

Information on Teen Commission Recruitment can be found on the Commissions page.

We invite the public to present ideas, comments, or other items during the Oral Communications portion typically held at the beginning of our meetings. During Oral Communications, members of the public have three-minutes to address the Commission on any matter not on the meeting agenda and within the jurisdiction of the Teen Commission. We also accept Written Communications which you may submit by emailing us at teencommission@cupertino.gov up to one hour before the scheduled meeting and the Staff Liaison will read all written comments out loud during the meeting. Please note that all Oral and Written Communications will be part of the public record.

Throughout the years the Teen Commission has advised and given feedback to City staff on:

• Programs that address teen stress and improving mental health
• Intergenerational Programs
• Programs that provide volunteer and job opportunities

Commissioners have represented the Teen Commission as moderators and judges at programs such as:

• Pizza and Politics
• HACK
• Spelling Bee
• Senior Center Intergenerational Event

What is it?

The Cupertino Teen Commission would like to recognize local youth-led organizations making positive impacts in their community.

What is defined as a Youth-Led Organization (YLO)?

A Youth-Led Organization (YLO) is any organization which has been created by a Cupertino resident under the age of 18 that positively improves and supports residents of the Cupertino community. This may include student-run non-profit organization, school clubs, school organizations, or any group of students making positive impacts for the Cupertino community.

Eligibility Requirements

• Organization must be organized and led by students currently enrolled in middle or high school
• Organization must serve primarily Cupertino residents and community
• Organization must have been active for at least six months
• Organization must present to Teen Commission to be considered

Evaluation

Applications will be evaluated by the Teen Commission based on a set of criteria that will include but is not limited to:

• Community Impact
• Presence and Engagement
• Establishment and Longevity
• Originality

Apply

The City’s Parks and Recreation Department will work with chosen YLOs to prepare an organization highlight on the City’s social media channels. Highlights on social media will be periodic. This application process does not guarantee that a YLO will be chosen to be highlighted. Teen Commission is not required to highlight a minimum number of YLOs.

Contact Sonya Lee at sonyal@cupertino.gov if your YLO would like to present at a Teen Commission meeting.