Meet Our Commissioners
2019 - 2020 Seattle Youth Commissioners
Co-Chairs
Parisa Harvey
Parisa Harvey is a sophomore at University Prep. She is interested in racial and social justice equity work, environmental justice, immigrant rights, and women's rights. Parisa has been a part of school leadership for the past 5 years serving on ASB and on the Community Ethics and Culture Council. She is the founder and leader of both the Middle Eastern and Multiracial Student Union. She is a reporter for the school newspaper, member of the mental health advisory board, and facilitates community conversations. Outside of school she organizes with WA Climate Strike a youth led national climate organization. She is extremely passionate about environmental justice and racism and is excited to continue this work as commissioner. She is committed to youth advocacy, empowerment, and involvement in civic engagement. She is eager to pursue a career in law, public service, or international relations.
Danani Hassan
Bio Coming Soon
Members
Abdiweli Abdi
Abdiweli Abdi is in the second year of Seattle Central College. And he wants to become a politician so that he will be able to help and elaborate his community and country. Abdiweli would like for his voice to be heard on more police issues such as regulating excessive force on immigrants and people of color. He participated in the community youth forum at Rainier Beach Community Center for Mayor Jenny Durkan's new Chief of Police search. As a Somalian native, Abdiweli is passionate about immigration rights and their access to jobs and basic resources. Abdiweli feels that his strength in conflict resolution and his ability to prioritize the needs of people is a great attribute to the Seattle Youth Commission.
Rosy Allen
Rosy Allen is a Junior at Roosevelt High School. Born in Guatemala, Rosy immigrated to the United States as an infant. She enjoys living in Seattle but is disappointed by the racial injustices she witnesses at her school and around the city. As a result, Rosy is committed to making Seattle more inclusive. As a musician and musical theater performer, she identifies the arts to convene, strengthen and elevate the people of Seattle. Rosy hopes to increase awareness about the impact of inequity on students. The Seattle Youth Commission is a place for her to contribute to discussions on City policy.
Henry Irving Engel
Henry Irving Engel is a freshman at Chief Sealth International High School. Henry is eager to work toward solutions addressing homelessness, racial equity and gun violence. He served two years on the Student Race and Equity Team at his school and participated in the Youth Ambassador Program. Henry hopes to help make Seattle a more equitable place for people of color, people in poverty, LGBTQ people and for women. He has marched for Black Lives Matter and anti-gun violence and has visited Olympia to meet Governor Inslee to talk about gun reform and the concerns of Washington students. As a Seattle Youth Commissioner, Henry hopes to add to solution-based discussions aimed at improving communities and the lives of youth residents. This is his second year on the Youth Commission.
Nephtalie Gonzales
Nephtalie Gonzales is a junior at Cleveland High School. She currently does full time running start at Seattle Central College in hopes to receive her associates of science degree. As a strong advocate for social and environmental justice, Nephtalie strives to create opportunities through youth organizations and clubs. Her past work includes organizing club field trips, developing youth summits, and facilitating social justice workshops. Throughout her freshman and sophomore year of high school, she has been the president of Green Team, peer leader of the Service Board, and a youth leader for Seattle Youth Climate Action Network. Her relationship with her community has always been a strong motivator for her to be civically engaged. As a first-year member of the Seattle Youth commission, Nephtalie aims to spread climate awareness and reduce inequality in public education.
Wanjiku Hopps
Wanjiku Hopps is a Senior at Seattle Preparatory School. She is deeply concerned with the inclusion of special education students in the community, homelessness in Seattle, and racial inequality issues. Wanjiku has an older brother with autism and understands that the inclusion of special needs students is vital for their growth and the growth of our community. She is committed to working toward a more equitable future for youth from marginalized racial, social, and economic backgrounds. Through her involvement with the Skyway Boys and Girls Club and the Black Student Union at her school, Wanjiku has already begun working toward these goals. Through the Seattle Youth Commission, she hopes to connect with her peers on issues that are impacting Seattle communities.
Jordan Howard
Jordan Howard is a sophomore attending the Seattle Academy of Arts and Science. It is almost his 2nd year in Seattle as he moved here from Chicago. He is concerned with issues including immigrant rights, low Income and houseless Youth, and arts and creativity. As a Youth Commissioner, Jordan hopes to learn how we can distribute money equally and correctly for certain issues across the city and is interested in mentoring the youth. Jordan is very honored that he has lived in China for 3 years. He is very grateful to have parents to give him such great opportunities.
Madison Jackson-Hite
Madison Jackson-Hite is a Junior at Ballard High School. A newcomer to youth civic engagement, she is concerned about immigrants' rights, women's rights, and climate change. Madison seeks a place where women's voices can be heard and appreciated. She views the world through many different perspectives: Madison has two moms (one of whom is African American), Muslim cousins, Venezuelan half-siblings, and her recently deceased grandfather was one of the original Tuskegee Airmen. She identifies as a quiet leader who found her voice and confidence at an all-girls school. She is interested in joining the voices of youth commissioners who are addressing issues impacting youth. is a sophomore at Ballard High School. A newcomer to youth civic engagement, she is concerned about immigrants' rights, women's rights, and climate change. Madison seeks a place where women's voices can be heard and appreciated. She views the world through many different perspectives: Madison has two moms (one of whom is African American), Muslim cousins, Venezuelan half-siblings, and her recently deceased grandfather was one of the original Tuskegee Airmen. She identifies as a quiet leader who found her voice and confidence at an all-girls school. She is interested in joining the voices of youth commissioners who are addressing issues impacting youth.
Kevin Jackson Hu
Bio Coming Soon
Katherine Kang
Katherine Kang is ASB 9th grade representative at University Prep. She advocates equity, acres and opportunity for youth through speaking engagements and writing. She has five-year history in advocacy and civic engagement work. Katherine's been recognized in the Seattle Times Ignite Education Lab for her youth advocacy work and is a first-place winner of the Holocaust Writing Contest. Her commitment to creating a bully-free community is demonstrated by her work on the DC Bully Buster leadership team. Katherine also serves as an intern for the Korean American Coalition Voter Registration program and helps community members through interpretation and access to Korean language voter registration materials. She is a recipient of the gold President's Volunteer Service Award. Katherine welcomes the opportunity to continue her work with the Seattle Youth Commission and advising on issues that impact youth.
Linda Phan
Linda Phan is a senior at Garfield High School in the Central District/Africa-Town. She is currently occupying stolen indigenous land of the Duwamish/Coast-Salish people. Linda is passionate about social justice, and particularly advocates against racism, classism, and homelessness. She aims to expand this advocacy as a member of the Seattle Youth Commission. At school, she is on student government, president of numerous clubs, and is captain of the gymnastics team. Out of school, aside from her work on the commission, she works with various social justice non-profit organizations throughout the city. She aims to pursue political science and international relations in her post-secondary education.
Gian-Nicholo Rosario
Gian-Nicholo Rosario is a Rainier Beach High School (RBHS) alumnus and is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree at the University of Washington. In his 2nd year in the Seattle Youth Commission, he hopes to focus on including youth/young adults in Seattle's political processes, specifically in policy decision making and hiring of executives/directors in Seattle Public School departments. He also hopes to focus on transparency in the budget allocation process in Seattle Public Schools.
Chloe Rubin
Chloe Rubin is currently a senior at Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences. Chloe is committed to promoting gun control and mitigating the impact of violence. In the wake of the Parkland shooting and after witnessing the injury of a friend as a result of gun violence, she is incredibly motivated to fight for gun control. In addition to her work with the Seattle Youth Commission, Chloe serves as a teen ambassador for One Love, a national organization leading in the education of young people about healthy and unhealthy relationships. She is also co-founder of Students Spreading Disability Awareness club at her school where she works alongside Disability Rights Washington to help further their public education efforts. Chloe is keen to continue sharing her leadership and advocacy experience with the Seattle Youth Commission during her second year serving on the Commission.