Saehee Perez is a political activist and student leader at McLean High School. In her freshman year, she co-founded Fairfax County COVID Aid. The organization included more than 100 volunteers who provided grocery and delivery to those isolated by the pandemic, as well as online tutoring services. Over 2,200 people received help.

She also joined the Model United Nations (MUN) as a freshman, which helps students develop speaking and parliamentary skills. Now as a senior, she is president of MUN. She says that MUN enabled her to overcome lack of confidence and shyness, and to develop speaking and negotiating skills. Saehee is a “MUNtor,” and she shares her knowledge and experience with new MUN delegates.

Outside of school, she is active in Virginia Young Democrats (VAYD), introducing bills for consideration by the Virginia General Assembly. These include: HB 1940 (2021) to grant students an excused absence for civic engagement (passed); HB 1179 (2022) to establish AAPI, Latino and Indigenous history elective curricula; and HB 1644 (2023) to ensure that all Virginia high schools have access to a college and career specialist. Most recently, she has recruited and organized students across Virginia for a youth lobby day in collaboration with other organizations.

Saehee is also on the leadership team for the Pride Liberation Project (PLP). She has helped to organize walk-out demonstrations concerning: the appointment of the Fairfax School Superintendent; the Supreme Court decision reversing Roe v Wade; and regulations proposed by the Virginia Board of Education on policy for Queer students. In 2023, the PLP introduced seven bills in the state legislature.

For the last two summers, Saehee was chosen as a US Department of State Scholar, which included seven weeks in a Chinese language immersion program in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Saehee was also selected as one of two Virginia students to participate in the Senate Youth Program. Two students from each state meet together in Washington for a week to see the workings of the U.S. government and to meet with their Senators and other officials.

Saehee says that she thrives on new experiences and opportunities for service. However, she reserves weekends for spending time with her friends, and credits those close relationships with helping her maintain balance. Her family is also very important. Her grandparents and parents, some of whom are immigrants, helped her understand the need for immigration reform, healthcare reform, the damage from socio-economic disparities, and the need to work hard. She said, “The lived experiences of my loved ones serve as a reminder as to why I believe in the power of collective action and legislative change.”