|
For many, high school is a time of exploration and discovery, and for Neti Sonavane, it was no different. It was during this time that she made a deep and lasting connection with PESA, one that would shape her journey ahead. Now serving as an Educational Life Coach (ELC), Neti's path with PESA began as a Teen Court jury member at Narbonne High School in Harbor City.
“I was always intrigued by how the law enforcement system works, and I was really impressed by the Los Angeles Superior Court Teen Court Program,” Sonavane recalls. Her interest in law led her to seek more opportunities with PESA, eventually leading her to a high school internship at just 15 years old. “That was the start where I kind of wanted to stay with PESA, looking at the amazing things that PESA does.”
After graduating high school in 2023, Sonavane enrolled at El Camino College (ECC) while applying to several UCs and USC, keeping her career path in law open-ended. Despite her academic commitments, she remains dedicated to PESA’s mission.
As an ELC, Sonavane plays a crucial role in supporting students academically. “I help students from our diversion program stay on track with their academic progress and provide them with educational support, using my own experience to guide them,” she explains. Although she is currently focused on Teen Court proctoring while continuing her studies at ECC, she remains deeply engaged in the program that first drew her to PESA.
Reflecting on her time with the organization, Sonavane highlights the mentorship she received as one of the impactful aspects of her journey. “Moments that stand out to me would probably be my meetings with Araksya Nordikyan and Seymour Amster. I got to learn so much from them during those meetings, especially during my internship.”
Excited about the future, Sonavane looks forward to continuing her work with the community. “I’m most excited to work with youth and help get them back on track, as well as learning new things myself. Our meetings are one of the most exciting parts of my time here.”
Summing up her experience with PESA in one word, Sonavane didn’t hesitate: “Amazing.”
If you’d like to support PESA’s many social and educational initiatives, please contact us
| 
