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At 17, Shanna Cook has racked up quite a political résumé. The Presentation High School senior has served on the youth advisory council for San Jose District 1 Councilwoman Linda LeZotte and interned at the local offices of U.S. Congressman Mike Honda and California State Assemblywoman Rebecca Cohn.
Shanna's latest appointment is to San Jose Youth Commission, an 11-member group that advises the city council and the department of parks, recreation and neighborhood services about issues important to area students.
"It represents the youth voice to the city council," Shanna says, "so I always wanted to be a member to better represent the needs of youth to the council."
The city established the youth commission in 1971 in response to petitions from students calling for a system that allowed young people to be involved in the city's decision-making process.
"It's not a decision-making position," says Shanna, "but we can put together information to help achieve our goals and build awareness of issues."
This and her prior political endeavors are steps toward what Shanna hopes is a future accomplishment--becoming an U.S. ambassador.
To that end, she plans to study international law and relations in college. She already speaks several languages, including Spanish, Italian and Farsi.
Although she's traveled to countries where people speak these languages, Shanna says there's no place like home.
"I really like the community I live in," she says. "San Jose was recently rated one of the top communities for young people. It's developed into one of the best communities in the nation."
Although she's been volunteering since age 5, Shanna's forays into the political arena are more recent.
"When you're younger, the volunteer positions that are open aren't usually political," she says.
After working for Honda and Cohn, Shanna says she has a better understanding of the business of politics and the issues elected officials are called upon to address.
"I didn't know before that you could call a congressman's office and talk about issues that are important to you," she says.
Contacting a congressman is a viable form of expression for the non-voting age citizen, she says. Being a member of the youth commission is another.
Citizens who aren't of voting age can turn to the youth commission with their issues as a way to be recognized.
"Youth should become more active in their community and make their voices heard," Shanna says. "They're part of the community, too."
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Photograph by Vicki Thompson