Democracy Camp Berkeley

Angelo Raga

Class of 2025
2024 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

Angelo is a third-year student majoring in political science. Growing up surrounded by talk of such increasingly prominent political issues as a rising cost of living, political polarization, and climate change, he has long sought an entrance into public service to learn how he can do his part to fight these issues. In the past, he has been involved in his community through his high school student council and his time volunteering to tutor and mentor at-risk elementary children at The Leaven. Being a commuter to Berkeley, however, he has struggled to find the connections and...

2022 DC in Berkeley

2024 DC in Berkeley

Ariana Kretz

Class of 2024
2024 John Gardner Fellowship
2023 Schaeffer Fellowship
2023 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

As a queer and disabled woman, Ariana Kretz hopes that by pursuing a placement in environmental justice, she can create systems that better uplift those of marginalized identities while protecting the planet. Her particular policy interests include public transit and the intersection between Indigenous sovereignty and environmental issues.

At UC Berkeley, she majored in History with double minors in Public Policy and Conservation and Resource Studies. Her honor’s thesis focused on how Native American parents advocated for their children who...

Daira Rivera

Class of 2024
2023 Democracy Camp in Berkeley Student Director
2023 Democracy Camp in Berkeley
2022 Schaeffer Fellowship
2022 Democracy Camp in Berkeley
Placement: Placement Location:

Daira grew up in Hayward California and her parents are from Nayarit Mexico. She is currently a senior attending UC Berkeley majoring in Political Science with a minor in public policy. Her career is geared towards being a civil rights attorney and one day working in public policy. Throughout her upbringing, she became aware of the systematic failures that affect low-income POC and wants to dedicate her career to aid the effort in changing them. She ultimately wants a career in public service that will fulfill her...

Democracy Camp

Democracy Camp is designed for Cal undergrads who are interested in enhancing our democracy through public service, and who are still discerning their unique pathway. Students can apply to one of two programs: Democracy Camp in Berkeley, the Matsui Center's alternative spring break program, or Democracy Camp in DC...

Juan Pablo Blanco

Class of 2024
2024 Cal-in-Sacramento
2024 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

Raised in a modest family of five, Juan Pablo Blanco is passionate about some of the most pressing issues confronting working-class Californians. As a senior studying political science at UC Berkeley, Juan Pablo is mental health advocate who recognizes the importance of empowering communities for students in college. At UC Berkeley, Juan Pablo founded Unbox’d, a mental health awareness organization that offers students mindfulness resources.

Juan Pablo plans to attend law school, work in-house counsel, and start an immigration law firm. Coming from an immigrant...

Chelsea Kawamura

Class of 2025
2024 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

Chelsea Kawamura (she/her)

Chelsea hopes to ensure that every student, regardless of background, has an equal opportunity to thrive in a dynamic learning environment where technological advancements are seamlessly integrated into educational frameworks.

In her involvement with the Student Policy Institute at Berkeley, Chelsea examined the impact of the digital divide on K-12 education. Her focus extended to proposing policies that leverage technology platforms to enrich the learning experience for students.

As a committed advocate...

Tonya DeGruy

Class of 2025
2024 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

Tonya DeGruy (she/her)

Tonya DeGruy is a non-traditional transfer student at the University of California, Berkeley in her second semester. Tonya was raised in the city of Los Angeles with a single mom. Being a non-traditional student returning to school later in life after having many life experiences, she has been able to pursue her goals with tenacity and dedication. Though growing up she was faced with many social and economic challenges, it has enabled her to be goal-driven with perseverance and commitment to her passion for the law and...

Angelo Raga

Class of 2025
2024 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

Angelo Raga (he/him)

Angelo is a third-year student majoring in political science. Growing up surrounded by talk of such increasingly prominent political issues as a rising cost of living, political polarization, and climate change, he has long sought an entrance into public service to learn how he can do his part to fight these issues. In the past, he has been involved in his community through his high school student council and his time volunteering to tutor and mentor at-risk elementary children at The Leaven. Being a commuter to...