Cupertino residents gathered on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Quinlan Community Center for the city’s 2025 State of the City address. Mayor Liang Chao outlined upcoming local initiatives and community events throughout this year. The event, which was free and open to the public, served as a platform for residents to engage with city officials and learn about projects that are upcoming in Cupertino’s future, including the AAPI Multicultural Festival and the Art Faire at the Cupertino Library, which is set for May 24.
Among the attendees was volunteer Sayalee Mylavarapu, who is active in local politics through campaign efforts and city council initiatives. With a strong background in local civic engagement, largely inspired by her mother’s work on the Cupertino Sustainability Commission, Mylavarapu emphasized the importance of events like the State of the City in fostering a sense of community engagement.
“I think it’s really cool that everyone can kind of come together and support someone, even if they don’t always agree with one another,” Mylavarapu said. “I think that we need to keep that at the forefront of our mind, especially as we’re in a turbulent time nationally. So to make sure that we’re secure here locally, it’s important.”
Mylavarapu also encourages civic engagement among the younger generation, highlighting the importance of getting involved from an earlier age. She acknowledges that hosting events like these would engage more community members for the rest of the year. Events like this help build awareness and encourage ongoing participation.
“When I was in high school, I didn’t know a lot about local politics,” Mylavarapu said. “I was paying attention more to national issues. But now, seeing my mom work with the city, I realize how much happens at the local level.”
Beyond discussing policy, the State of the City address serves as a call to action, encouraging younger generations to get involved in community events and activities. Growing up, Mylavarapu was surrounded by strong leadership models, which fostered her engagement in local politics. She recalls an event at Monta Vista High School when an Indian American mayor spoke to students about her journey in politics.
“We were all just sitting there and talking to her, and she was explaining what it took for her to get over their obstacles,” Mylavarapu said. “The people who helped her and that allowed so many people to think, ‘I want to go into journalism. I want to go into politics, because they didn’t have representation of that prior and now they do.”
Chao highlights the city’s dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion, showcasing how local leadership in Cupertino reflects the multicultural identity of the town. Mylavarapu discusses how beyond the mayor’s speech, the presence of various community leaders highlights the collective efforts to continue to make meaningful change in the community. Discussions ranged from transportation, housing, youth engagement and economic developments within Cupertino. With detailed plans set in motion for the year ahead, the city remains focused on continued commitment to serving a diverse community.
