DOWNEY - Warren High School junior Carli Ciatti recently represented Downey in Sacramento Safari, a PTA program that encourages advocacy among high school students.Ciatti was chosen based on her academic and community achievements, and was the only student to represent Downey in the 33rd PTA district. Ciatti was in Sacramento from March 9-11 and met various members of the legislature, learning about the political process. Among the topics discussed were the budget, healthcare and education. She also took advantage of meetings with Assembly members Charles Calderon and Roger Niello and Sen. Allen Lowenthal to explain the effects of proposed budget cuts and its impact on the local level. On one occasion, Ciatti reminded one legislator how the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930 raised taxes to the highest point in history and actually worsened the Great Depression. "You have to understand history to know what works and doesn't work," said Ciatti, whose days began at 7:30 a.m. and continued until 9:30 p.m. During her visit, Ciatti also visited the State Treasury vault (which actually has no money in it). AP History teacher Kevin Hobbs nominated Ciatti for the trip. Ciatti was the recipient of the Violet Richardson Award presented by Soroptimist International of Downey and was recently nominated for the Susan B. Anthony Award given by Rochester University. She maintains a 4.3 GPA. Ciatti is also an accomplished athlete, having broken the school record for pole vaulting and advancing to the CIF finals last year. In January, she qualified and competed in the Pole Vaulting Nationals in Reno, Nev.

********** Published: March 19, 2010 - Volume 8 - Issue 48