Hi there! My name is Katherine Verrando, and I am a high school senior from Orange County, California. I’m passionate about using technology and civic engagement to tackle social challenges. As the founder of Changemakers, I secured $13,000 in grants for local nonprofits and led projects like creating a STEM waste management curriculum for Liberian students and building a game cart for Casa Youth Shelter. I’ve led The World in Us, an international cultural awareness non-profit, impacting 800 students across 26 countries and securing $16,000 in grants to enhance youth programs. I also developed a marine conservation sign for the Pacific Marine Mammal Center and created a pen pal program for Meals on Wheels seniors. My work with MUN Impact has reached over 40,000 students in 171 countries, where I led debates and workshops on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. I’ve also worked on policy development as an intern for the Institute for Youth in Policy, and as a Congressional Intern, I assisted with constituent services and policy research. In addition, I’ve represented my school and community in leadership roles, including serving on the CUSD Board of Trustees, representing 40,000+ students and as the sole Student Voting Commissioner on the Instructional Quality Commission, representing California's 6 million students. At university, I strive to pursue the intersection of my interest for technology, government, and the environment to foster a positive impact.

• Congressional Intern

  Government Administration · California Congressional District 40

  Jan 2023 – Jan 2023

• Intern

  Non-Profit Organization Management · Youth Mentoring Action Network

  Jan 2022 – Jan 2022

• Advocacy
• Politics
• Volunteering
• Philanthropy
• Entrepreneurship

• Marathon

  Intramural

  2019 – 2021

• Cross-Country Running

  Junior Varsity

  2021 – 2022

• Intern

  Orange County Parks · Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology

  2023 – 2024

  Research topic:

  Fire Ecology Internship (1 of 12 selected)

• Curriculum Development Intern

  Advocacy · Institute for Youth in Policy

  2022 – 2023

  Mission:

  Spearheaded a 500 page policy-oriented civics curriculum “for students, by students.” Addressed cross-cultural competencies through well-researched curriculum and interactive activities to encourage students to interact in civic conversations. Developed free, online resources on civics and policy.

• Executive Assistant (11), Secretary (10)

  Volunteering · Key Club

  2021 – 2024

  Mission:

  Division Secretary (2022-23), Executive Assistant (2023-24) Represented over 300 division members across 10 schools in region as Division Communication Liaison. Organized the monthly Divisional Council Meetings to raise funds for Key Club supported charities. Coordinated with schools on a monthly basis to ensure their needs are met and to assist them in keeping up to standards with division expectations.

• Head of North America (2020), Deputy-Secretary General of HS Cohorts (2020-21) Deputy-Secretary General of North America (2021-22), Secretary-General (2023-24).

  Advocacy · MUN Impact, international non-profit for UN Global Goals

  2020 – 2024

  Mission:

  Managed 15 members of the global team and facilitated partnerships with 10 schools and orgs. Organized a two-week summit with over 10 workshops on SDG 16 for 200+ participants. Developed curriculum for 2,000+ students through the MUN@Home mentorship program.

• Executive Director (11-12), Executive Lead (9-10)

  Advocacy · The World in Us, cultural awareness non-profit

  2022 – Present

  Mission:

  Instill ideas of cultural diversity and acceptance among youth through online programs. Awarded over $16,000 in grants through Lead4Change and the Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund (CDAF) at the U.S. Department of State to enhance youth programs. Organize and teach culture classes to elementary school students from around the world at the annual Cultural Discovery Camp during Winter Break. Utilized a $6,000 budget to implement the annual Community-Building Intercultural Exchange Program for 200+ participants during six weeks in the summer. Pair program participants with similar interests from different countries as peer partners on a bi-monthly basis through the Culture Coffee Chats program.

• Founder & Team Lead

  Advocacy · Changemakers Student Leadership Team

  2020 – Present

  Mission:

  Complete annual service projects as a Lead4Change Leadership team. Successfully acquired over $13,000 in grant prizes for the local community. Developed curriculum plan for the Lead4Change lessons, created supplemental leadership curriculum, and set due dates for the semi-annual service project. Developed a Waste Management science curriculum for underprivileged students in Liberia. Built and solicited donations for a Board Game Cart for the Casa Youth Shelter. Coordinated the delivery of homemade notes gifts to seniors in the Laguna Niguel Meals on Wheels. Developed signage for the Pacific Marine Mammal Center’s elephant seal skeleton under the mentorship of the AFS Youth Ambassador Project.

• Class President (9-11), Secretary (12)

  Public Service (Politics) · Aliso Niguel High School Student Government

  2021 – Present

  Mission:

  Elected class president for three consecutive years; Currently serving as ASB secretary in senior year. Execute various events, including the homecoming halftime show, prom and tailgate. Spearhead Wolverine Spotlight recognition program, Blood Drive and Pajama Drive. Engage with local businesses to plan events for ~2,700 students. Manage the Class of 2025 social media account. Raised $2,000+ at school-wide fundraisers, such as restaurant fundraisers and product sales.

• Student Board Member

  Volunteering · Capistrano Unified School District

  2024 – Present

  Mission:

  Represent 40,000+ K-12 students in the Capistrano Unified School District as the sole student advisor on the Board of Trustees.

• Sole Voting Student Member

  Volunteering · Instructional Quality Commission

  2024 – Present

  Mission:

  Serve as the sole student commissioner representing ~6 million students on the Instructional Quality Commission, an advisory body to the California State Board of Education that provides guidance on curriculum and instructional matters.

• Core Curriculum Member

  Volunteering · Project Aquascope

  2019 – 2021

  Mission:

  Provide the year-long science curriculum for the Indian Church Village Primary School. Develop critical readings, hands-on experiments, and learning checkpoints. Create 30 hours worth of science curriculum for 7th and 8th graders.