Desert Town Hall is one of the pre-eminent speaker series in the nation,
providing world-class speakers, intellectual enrichment, and youth education
to the Coachella Valley. The series offers four programs each year, from
January to April. Youth Town Hall is the student part of the event, providing
opportunities for up to 600 students from more than 20 high schools in the
Coachella Valley.
“We are proud of our scholarship recipients and their accomplishments,”
said Board President Tim Pyne. “These students embody the spirit of Youth
Town Hall, representing hope, ambition, and the drive to create a better
world. We are excited to see how they will continue to grow and contribute to
their communities and beyond.”
Desert Town Hall and Youth Town Hall are produced by Desert Forum, Inc., a
nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation. The presenting sponsor is the H. N. and
Frances C. Berger Foundation. Sponsors include the City of Indian Wells;
Foster-Gardner, Inc.; Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa; Roemer &
Harnik, LLP, Attorneys and Counselors at Law; Sunrise Company/Toscana
Country Club/Andalusia; 111 Wealth Management Group at Morgan
Stanley/Valentine-Dougherty-Clark; and West Coast Turf.
Meet the 12 accomplished scholarship recipients:
Abeer Singh is in the 11th grade at La Quinta High School and is interested in
civil engineering and business development. Mitch Albom was Abeer’s
favorite speaker, saying, “It made me think deeper about the kind of footprint
I want to leave behind. We often chase success thinking it’s about
achievements, but real success might actually be about how many people
you helped stand when they were falling.”
Ayden Chavez graduated this year from Indio High School. He aspires to be a
cardiovascular surgeon. Ayden says, “Being a resident of the Coachella
Valley and observing the healthcare disparities firsthand drove me to want to
become part of an advocating and healing profession. Caring for my
grandfather and witnessing the devotion of my mother as an ER secretary
showed me the life-changing difference of compassionate care. As a
surgeon, I would like to not only heal patients but also advance health equity
for underserved populations.”
Liya Kakar, a sophomore at Palm Desert High School, says, “I would love to
attend a top 20 university, study business and finance, and potentially
explore the field of consulting. I hope to become the CEO of a large
corporation and build a strong reputation as a female leader and business
owner.”
Andrew Franco-Rodriguez graduated from Coachella Valley High School
this year and wants to pursue a career in education. Andrew said, “I have
always been passionate about education (and the arts), knowing that it is a
powerful tool for transformation, healing, and connection. I hope to create an
inclusive space where everyone feels valued, regardless of their background or
identity.”
Juliann Brinson, a junior at Palm Desert High School, dreams of a career in
sports journalism. She is currently a news reporter and main anchor for
PDHS Aztec Studios. On Youth Town Hall, Juliann adds, “The lessons and
information you learn from the speakers are priceless. The opportunities for
networking are endless—I was able to get hired and made a connection in
the career I wish to pursue.”
Frida Pinedo is a junior at Desert Christian Academy. This year was her first
time attending Youth Town Hall. She said, “Youth Town Hall is full of a brilliant
and diverse community. I can share my opinions and hear others’
perspectives, and it contributes to my growth as a human and who God has
called me to be.” Frida hopes to be a teacher one day.
Cameron Lund, a junior at La Quinta High School, said Youth Town Hall
allowed her “to gain the knowledge of being open-minded, knowing it’s okay
to disagree with others’ opinions if you’re respectful, and having compassion
and providing service to others.”
Henry MacLean is a sophomore at Palm Desert High School. He had the
honor of introducing the first speaker, Dan Buettner. Henry also had the
opportunity to be on television. He said, “I promoted Youth Town Hall and all
that it has to offer local high school students during an interview with Fred
Roggin on our local NBC station.”
Viviana Terriquez, a junior at Xavier College Prep, plans to pursue a career in
social services. On what she gained this season, she said, “Being a Youth
Ambassador helps boost your social and public speaking skills. It is a great
program for our community’s youth to learn about current events and issues
in our world and community.”
Savannah Vela, a Shadow Hills High School graduate, plans to major in
political science. When asked what she enjoyed most this season, she said,
“Youth Town Hall provided a space where I could listen to diverse and even
conflicting opinions while still forming meaningful connections with others.”
Bella Barone is a junior at Palm Desert High School. She plans to major in
business and finance. Bella took away important lessons from this season,
saying, “Stand up for your beliefs. Have a purpose. Listen. Learn. Advocate
for what you believe in.”
Brisa Zepeda, a graduate of Indio High School, aspires to be a lawyer. Her
advice to future Youth Ambassadors is, “Don’t be afraid to try something
new. I know many might not feel comfortable speaking to large groups, but
Youth Town Hall helps us develop important communication and social skills
that are so valuable to our future.”
