Melissa Arriaga

Melissa Arriaga is a high school student from Escondido, California, pursuing studies in law and politics. She has been involved in these fields for three to four years, beginning in her freshman year of high school. Her experience includes campaigning for two candidates in Southern California, where she managed technology and conducted door-to-door outreach. She has served as a paralegal and legal intern for one year, assisting with documents, client communication, and supporting a lawyer who was also a candidate. Arriaga participates in mock trial, acting as a young attorney prosecuting and defending youth for misdemeanors in her city. She is a member of Beyond Partisan, focusing on local issues such as safe feminine hygiene products, and the American Youth Association, working on youth-focused and environmental bills. Additionally, she competed in speech and debate, delivering a speech on women's voices that led to a 39th place finish at the state level in California. Arriaga plans to major in political science in college and ultimately aims to become a federal Supreme Court Justice after gaining experience as a lawyer.