Saran Tugsjargal is a senior at the Alameda Community Learning Center, a small public charter school in Alameda, California. She was born in Berkeley and raised in Alameda, California.

During her time at high school, she served as the elected Judicial Clerk and representative in the student body. She was also a member of the League of Women Voters, a nonprofit political organization that has advocated for voting rights since the 1920s. 

Tugsjargal is also a youth commissioner for the California Department of Education Advisory Commission on Special Education. At only 17, Tugsjargal represents over 800,000 students with disabilities and helps pass education policy across all 50 states. On top of being one of the first voting youth commissioners in California history after Senator Henry Stern’s SB 291 bill (2021), Tugsjargal is also one of the first Mongolian American officials in the nation. 

Eight times per year, Tugsjargal attends 13-hour state meetings in Sacramento and passionately helps advocate for students and their rights. She has stated, “It’s always one of my biggest goals and dreams to advocate for students and their rights and pave the way for our futures.”

With her firm commitment and effort, Tugsjargal fearlessly confronts adults and state programs, saying, “If we don’t hold people accountable [for their mistakes] then how are changes even going to be made?” 

Outside of her demanding role as a youth commissioner and rigorous high school academics, Tugsjargal has a bubbly personality and is always eager to help others. Her various hobbies include rock climbing, playing golf, and listening to music. 

In the future, Tugsjargal hopes to help communities by creating a system of care and love. She has a strong interest in political science and aspires to attend a four-year university, majoring in Policy and Education. Tugsjargal has dedicated plans to run for office, with aspirations to join the U.S. House of Representatives to continue advocating for the youth and helping the world around her.