Embedded Files
The Youth Led Leadership Alliance is a network of 8 different leadership groups sponsored by the Santa Cruz County Office of Education working together to develop leadership skills and make an impact across their community. All groups meet once a week on Tuesdays in a hybrid format, and once a month on Saturdays in person at either the County Office of Education in Santa Cruz, or the Sequoia High Schools campus in Watsonville.
Interested in joining the Alliance? Just fill out a short interest form by clicking on the button below. The only eligibility requirement is to be a student enrolled at any high school within Santa Cruz county—public, private or charter!
YLLA in the Spotlight!
YLLA in the Spotlight!
Watch the Inside California Education story, which aired Sept. 17, 2025, on PBS KVIE.
YLLA Groups
YLLA Groups
These groups include:
Youth for Environmental Action - Students passionate about environmental justice and interested in taking action to address our changing climate.
Youth Artists Taking Action - Youth artists of all disciplines interested in using their art to address social and environmental justice and create societal change.
Youth Empowerment through Technology & Innovation - Youth examining the role of technology in education, promoting ethical and responsible use, and working together to explore innovative solutions to real-world challenges.
Jovenes Sanos - A youth group focused on promoting/advocating for wellness, increased access to mental health resources, and reducing the stigma.
Multilingual Youth Taking Action - Multilingual students inspired to be future leaders and create a welcoming and supportive environment for peers of all backgrounds.
Queer Student Union - QSU provides Santa Cruz county high school students with the opportunity to explore LGBTQ+ issues, and build their leadership skills through advocacy and service to their local community.
Countywide Black Student Union - Black students interested in building a network of support and solidarity that fights for equity and promotes cultural pride and awareness.
The Rising Voices Youth Poetry Collective - A leadership alliance organized in collaboration with the Santa Cruz County Poet Laureate for those who enjoy creative writing.
For more information, please contact Student Leadership and Engagement Coordinator, Andres Ortiz at anortiz@santacruzcoe.org or 831-466-5713.
To stay up to date please follow us on Instagram at @sccsstudentleadership
We are pleased to announce that the Santa Cruz County Office of Education Student Leadership and Engagement Programs will be starting up again in October for the 2025-26 school year!
Our First Meeting!
Our First Meeting!
Our orientation and first meeting of the 2025-26 school year will be on Saturday, October 04, 2025 from 11am-2pm at Seacliff State Beach (201 State Park Dr. Aptos, CA 95003). At this meeting we will confirm our weekly meeting times and location. Lunch will be provided!
Weekly Meeting Structure
Weekly Meeting Structure
YLLA has a hybrid meeting structure. Each of our 8 groups has its own Zoom link for weekly meetings. In addition to the Zoom links, students are welcome to join in person at one of our two locations in the county. In South County, YLLA students can meet in person at Watsonville High School in room 607. In North County, students are welcome to come to room 40 at Santa Cruz High School.
Most of our groups meet on Tuesdays from 4:00-5:15pm.
South County Jovenes Sanos group meets on Mondays at Watsonville High in room 403 from 4:00-5:00. Leadership/project meetings are from 5:00-6:00pm
Youth Empowerment through Technology and Innovation meets virutally on Wednesdays from 4:00-5:15pm.
Monthly Meetings
Monthly Meetings
* Our orientation and first meeting of the 2025-26 school year will be on Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 11am-2pm at Seacliff State Beach (201 State Park Dr. Aptos, CA 95003). At this meeting we will do some team building activities, confirm weekly meeting times, and map out some goals for the school year. Lunch will be provided!
In addition to meeting weekly, all of our YLLA groups will come together once a month in person to build leadership skills and work on individual group projects. Locations will alternate each month between North and South County.
YLLA Monthly Meetings - Generally every 4-5 weeks from 11am-2pm. All YLLA groups included. In person only.
October 4th - Seacliff State Beach, 201 State Park Dr. Aptos, CA
November 15th - Sequoia High Schools, 229 Green Valley Freedom, CA
December 13th - County Office of Education, 400 Encinal St. Santa Cruz, CA
January 17th - Sequoia High Schools, 229 Green Valley Freedom, CA
February 21st - County Office of Education, 400 Encinal St. Santa Cruz, CA
March 21st - Sequoia High Schools, 229 Green Valley Freedom, CA
April 18th - County Office of Education, 400 Encinal St. Santa Cruz, CA
May 16th - Sequoia High Schools, 229 Green Valley Freedom, CA
YLLA Calendar
YLLA Calendar
Highlights from the 24-25 School Year!
Highlights from the 24-25 School Year!
YLLA a 2024 Golden Bell Award Winner!
YLLA a 2024 Golden Bell Award Winner!
The California School Board Association has awarded the Youth Led Leadership Alliance with their prestigious Golden Bell Award in the category of Student Engagement and Empowerment for our work during the 2023-24 school year. YLLA will be recognized at the CSBA's Annual Education Conference on December 5th in Anaheim.
We would like to extend a huge thank you to County Superintendent, Dr. Faris Sabbah, our community partners, and all of the group facilitators for all of their support. Most of all, we'd like to thank all of our YLLA students! Your inspirational vision and hard work is what made this possible. The future of leadership in our county is bright!
YLLA Students Lead Workshop at Monthly Meeting
YLLA Students Lead Workshop at Monthly Meeting
YLLA Students, Sylvi and Simon, from the Youth for Environmental Action and Youth Artists Taking Action groups (respectively), lead a workshop bringing together the art forms of poetry and anime at our November monthly meeting. Students had a great time working together and learning from their peers.
Highlights from the 23-24 School Year!
Highlights from the 23-24 School Year!
Introducing a New Tech Group - YETI!
Introducing a New Tech Group - YETI!
YETI (Youth Empowerment through Technology & Innovation) is a dynamic student group dedicated to equipping young minds with cutting-edge digital skills and fostering responsible tech usage. Our members collaborate on exciting tech projects, explore innovative solutions, and develop leadership abilities in a fun and supportive environment.
YLLA Beach Day!
YLLA Beach Day!
To celebrate all of the amazing work the students did throughout the year, YLLA held our last monthly gathering of the 2023-24 school year at Capitola Beach.
YLLA Presenting to SC County Board of Education
YLLA Presenting to SC County Board of Education
On May 16, 2024, the students of the various YLLA groups gave a presentation to the board in which they reported all of the amazing work they had done throughout the 2023/24 school year, and shared their plans for the futre.
Self & Community Tile Project
Self & Community Tile Project
High school students from across Santa Cruz County schools have been working together since Fall 2021 exploring what Self and Community means to them using art.
Page updated
Report abuse