On March 10, 2026, Canal Alliance’s Senior Planner, Diana Benitez, had the opportunity to speak with fourth graders at Laurel Dell Elementary as part of an ongoing partnership with YPLAN from UC Berkeley. YPLAN (Youth Plan, Learn, Act, Now) is an award-winning educational initiative from UC Berkeley’s Center for Cities + Schools that supports young people to engage in real-world planning and design challenges in their communities. Through this partnership, students are introduced to architecture, urban planning, and civic engagement while exploring their own pathways to college and future careers.
The visit reflects a broader unit of study in which Laurel Dell’s fourth graders are investigating themes of Pathways, Bridges, and Gateways to College and Beyond—connecting personal aspirations with the built environment and the role they can play in shaping their communities.
In Ms. Wilson’s class, Diana shared her journey to becoming an urban planner. From growing up in an immigrant family to being the first in her family to attend college, she spoke candidly about the experiences that shaped her path—including moments of injustice in her community that inspired her career. She also introduced students to the work of Canal Alliance as a vital community organization and emphasized the importance of community engagement, encouraging students to get involved and use their voices.
Her visit was more than a career talk—it was a powerful reminder of the importance of representation. Diana connected with students through her story, encouraging them to dream big, follow their passions, and embrace the idea that their paths can evolve over time. She was a terrific and inspiring presence in the classroom.
Reflecting on the experience, Diana shared, “It meant a lot to stand in front of those students and see so much of myself in them. I didn’t even know what urban planning was until I was 17, and I wanted them to understand that it’s okay if your path changes. What matters is staying curious, working hard, and using your voice to make your community better.”
She hopes students headed home from school that day feeling encouraged to dream big, try something new, and discover what they’re passionate about.