Diya Bardwell (they/she) is a natural-born leader, taking on several different leadership roles in their high school career. From writing mock legislation about juvenile incarceration with Youth & Government, to being elected as Youth Mayor of DC, to serving on the YMCA Youth Governors Association National Board, and being a full voting member on the YMCA Metropolitan Washington Board of Directors, Diya has been blazing a path for their fellow youth. She is driven to create safe and welcoming spaces for queer youth which led them to help organize DC’s first Pride Prom. Diya will be attending Syracuse University (Honors Program) double majoring in Citizenship & Civic Engagement and Policy Studies at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.
