To participate, 8th grade students were to write or neatly type a 100-150 word essay on the topic: "Think of volunteerism. Develop a volunteer program for 8th graders in the City of Torrance. Provde details of your program including a way to carry it out successfully."

Among those who submitted essays, 22 students were invited to participate in a variety of activities, including job shadowing elected officials or city management staff for the afternoon and opening an actual City Council meeting.

While this program is geared for 8th graders, the City encourages all students to continue learning about local government and how they can help serve the community.

The 2010  Students and Government participants were:

 

Richard Windisch	St. James School	Mayor
Kayleigh Coates	Bert Lynn Middle School	Councilmember
Alyssa Arnheim	Calle Mayor Middle School	Councilmember
Anthony Lopez	Calle Mayor Middle School	Councilmember
Shivaram Rajkumar	Jefferson Middle School	Councilmember
Michael Quijano	St. Catherine Laboure	Councilmember
Victoria Phillips	Casimir Middle School	Councilmember
Brittany Norris	Magruder Middle School	City Clerk
Claire Thatcher	Riviera Hall Lutheran School	City Treasurer
Emma Carley	Bert Lynn Middle School	City Manager
Belise Bagabo	Richardson Middle School	Assistant City Manager
Brooke Sheck	Calle Mayor Middle School	City Attorney
Lorenz Strassberg	First Lutheran School	Communication and Information Technology Director
Pooja Chebolu	Calle Mayor Middle School	Community Development Director
William Escobar	Madrona Middle School	Community Services Director
Jorrel Javier	J.H. Hull Middle School	Finance Director
Taylor Rashi	Jefferson Middle School	Fire Chief
Leah Perez	Madrona Middle School	General Services Director
Shannon Dunn	J.H. Hull Middle School	Human Resources Director
Ian Fireman	Jefferson Middle School	Police Chief
Patricia Macatugal	Casimir Middle School	Public Works Director
Trevor Rudloff	J.H. Hull Middle School	Transit Director