Sharmada Venkataramani Email and Phone Number

Selected as one of 34 youth from Metro Atlanta RESA to participate in the Model Atlanta Regional Commission. Worked with Atlanta Regional Commission to discuss gentrification, transportation planning, and affordability in the Metro-Atlanta area. Attended workshops hosted by Atlanta Regional Transportation's CEO and COO. Working with a team of 7 to develop a PSA to increase awareness on walkability in transportation planning.

I worked closely with Cumming District 4 commissioner Cindy Jones Mills to establish the first youth mental health coalition in Forsyth county. We are comprised of students from high schools across the county. Within 2 months, we have distributed youth mental health resource guides to over 700 families in Forsyth County.

Served as only of 2 student research interns under professor Lydia Aletrarsis. Analyzed and reported findings on Cannibas legalization data.

I serve as a paid county organizer for the largest youth-led legislative advocacy nonprofit in the state of Georgia. As a county organizer I help manage over 1500+ students who are part of our student advocacy program, have developed 10+ legislative tool kits, and spoke at board of education meetings. I have also canvassed to over 400+ voters across the state and have made over 700+ voter engagement dials. I have also organized summer block parties and legislative workshops for students as well.

One of nine students chosen from my high school to be a high school secretary of state ambassador. Work in partnership with GA secretary of state department to empower high school voters by holding seminars, events, guest speakers, and by volunteering at election polls.

Youth council member in the Forsyth County Drug Awareness Council, a coalition that includes youth members, government officials, health care providers, and law enforcement who all work together to promote drug prevention in awareness and local community. Current project lead and founder of "Elevate with Awareness" a social media and outreach campaign dedicated to spreading awareness and doing prevention on adolescent marijuana and THC use. Through the campaign, I podcasted with elected officials, prevention specialists, and led a group of high school students to testify in favor of a nicotine regulation bill (HB 1260) at the Georgia State House.

Selected as the 2024-2025 youth sector lead for the Forsyth County Drug Awareness Council. As the sector lead, I represent over 30+ high school students and guide them on prevention-focused projects. As a sector lead, I have led project connect to distribute Deterra drug deactivation bags, marijuana resource guides, and local drug and alcohol resource guides to 700+ families in the county. I have also helped organize and spoke at events such as the annual walk for recovery which included over 200+ attendees.

Established as the first youth board member in the history of the organization. Working with executive director, researcher at Uchicago, and other board members to close the Delta 8 THC loophole in Georgia. Working on 3+ policy briefs to stakeholders like state representatives, congressmen, and state senators. Working towards legislation against targeted marijuana marketing towards minors.

I will be the founder and president of the new junior varsity mock trial team at my local high school. As president, I will guide a team of 12 to develop a case for both the prosecution and the defense. I will also be the lead attorney, and have won numerous awards. I was selected as one of 18 to receive the Outstanding Witness Award at the 2024 mock trial state finals.