Dr. Ruiz Announces Desert Mirage High School Student as State of the Union Guest

Palm Desert, CA – Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) announced Elizabeth Esteban, a 16-year-old junior at Desert Mirage High School, as his guest for this year's State of the Union. Every year Dr. Ruiz brings a member of the community to see the State of the Union. This year, Elizabeth Esteban was chosen to be the guest of honor and have the once-in-a-lifetime experience to be present in the House Chamber and listen to the President give the State of the Union address.

"I am very proud of Elizabeth and so excited to have her as my guest at the State of the Union," Dr. Ruiz said. "She is an incredible student leader at Desert Mirage High School and an effective advocate for environmental justice for our communities. She is on the path to greatness."

"We are very excited that our student is being afforded a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit Washington D.C. and attend a State of the Union Address with Congressman Dr. Ruiz," Dr. Maria G. Gandera, the Coachella Valley Unified District Superintendent said. "Elizabeth is passionate about being an activist for issues she cares about and this trip will allow her to see the process in action. We look forward to seeing the amazing things Elizabeth will accomplish in the future."

After mulch fires closed area schools for a week, Elizabeth wrote a letter to Dr. Ruiz's office telling her experience and advocating for environmental justice.