By Dulasi Tennakoon, 2025 CLA Intern
The Capitol Summit trip was not only fun but deeply insightful. Having previously worked at the Oregon State Capitol as a legislative intern for Representative Paul Evans, I was particularly excited to observe the structural and procedural differences between the Oregon and California Capitols. For instance, California refers to its lower chamber as the Assembly rather than the House, and the difference in the number of members in each chamber, as well as the way the desks were arranged, struck me as a tangible reflection of each state’s legislative identity. These differences also reminded me of the diversity within our federal system and how state-level governance can vary dramatically while still contributing to the broader democratic process.
One of the most powerful moments for me was the Legislative Alumni Panel featuring Ellen, Byron, Erika, and Arali. Hearing each of them talk about their favorite bills they had worked on was both moving and motivating. Two of the legislative directors expressed how much they loved their jobs, despite the challenges, and it made me reflect on how fulfilling it must be to see change happening because of your work. Arali’s comment especially stayed with me: coming from the nonprofit world, where change often starts at the grassroots level, she emphasized how everything eventually leads back to the Capitol. That perspective really drove home how interconnected our systems are, and how vital it is to have people behind the scenes who care deeply and work hard to ensure that important ideas become policy.
Meeting Arali Seneviratne, a fellow Sri Lankan, was another personal highlight. Connecting with someone who shares not only my cultural background but also a deep interest in politics and policy was incredibly meaningful. Her journey and accomplishments were inspiring and gave me hope for the path I’m carving for myself.
Our guest speaker, Sophia Kim, was also incredibly impressive. Her confidence and passion for getting the work done, without needing to be in the spotlight, was very empowering to hear and observe. It was clear that her values and interests aligned with the policies she supports, which reinforced the importance of finding meaning in the work we choose. I also appreciated Ellen’s candid advice to junior staffers, “Don’t fall in love with the bill, it could die at any time.” That comment really showcases the emotional complexity of policy work. It reminded me that while passion fuels purpose, resilience is equally essential to avoid burnout when things don’t go as planned.
Beyond the programming, one of the most grateful parts of the Summit was simply spending time with my cohort. During the intern mixer, someone pointed out that networking shouldn’t only be about connecting with adult professionals, it’s just as valuable to build meaningful relationships with our peers. That stuck with me. These are the people I will be growing with, learning from, and perhaps even working alongside in the future.
This Summit trip reinforced for me the importance of civic engagement not just as a duty, but as a dynamic, ever-evolving process. Whether you’re writing policy, organizing at the grassroots, or building relationships with colleagues, every action contributes to the health of our democracy.