Northern Cal. high school student selected to U.S. Senate Youth Program

The Jefferson Exchange

Bode E. Gower. Chair of the California Youth Policy Coalition( Courtesy of Bode Gower)

Bode Gower is a senior at Ukiah High School where he serves as the president of the Associated Student Body. Bode joins the Exchange to discuss his selection to the U.S. Senate Youth Program.

Announcement:
The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) announced on Jan 13, 2025 that high school students Sarah Rumei Gao and Bode Emet Gower will join Senator Alex Padilla and Senator Adam Schiff in representing California during the 63rd annual USSYP Washington Week, to be held March 1 — 8, 2025.

Bode Gower of Hopland was selected from among the state’s top student leaders (along with Sarah Gao of San Diego) to be part of the 104 national student delegation that will attend meetings and briefings with senators, the president, a justice of the Supreme Court, leaders of cabinet agencies and other officials throughout the week. Each delegate will also receive a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate study.

Delegates and alternates are selected by the state departments of education nationwide and the District of Columbia and Department of Defense Education Activity, after nomination by teachers and principals. The chief state school officer for each jurisdiction confirms the final selection. This year’s California delegates and alternates were designated by Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Bode Gower's Background:
As the founder and chair of the Northern California Youth Policy Coalition (NCYPC), he supports rural youth by advocating for youth-related legislation at both state and federal levels, spotlighting the perspectives of rural youth and communities across Northern California. He also serves as a member of the Board of Governors for the Young Leaders PAC and the K-12 director of policy for GenerationUp, California’s largest youth-led advocacy organization.

Bode has been a member of Senator Laphonza Butler’s Youth Advisory Council, where he regularly met with the senator, ensuring that the voices of rural communities are represented. Bode is also a commissioner on the Mendocino County Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission and founded the first-ever Mendocino County Youth Advisory Council which works with the County Board of Supervisors to engage the county youth on issues that come before the Board.

Bode has been recognized as Outstanding Prosecution Attorney during the 2024 California State Mock Trial Competition and as Best Attorney from the UCLA Mock Trial Institute, as well as having received the Congressional Award. He has worked on multiple political campaigns at both state and local levels. Bode plans to major in public policy and pre-law studies, attend law school, and pursue a career in public service.