High School Democrats of America
| High School Democrats of America | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | 2005 (national) |
| Headquarters | None |
| Mother party | Democratic Party |
| International affiliation | International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) |
| Website | |
| High School Democrats of America Website | |
The High School Democrats of America, (HSDA) is a youth-based political organization that serves as the entry point to Democratic politics for young activists nationwide. Across the country, the organization and its members work at the national, state, and local levels to engage and mobilize members to be active in the political process.
Formerly part of the Young Democrats of America[1][2] the members of the High School Democrats of America represents high school students at all levels of the Democratic Party.[3]
Although State Chapters for the organization and idea existed long beforehand, the High School Democrats of America itself was founded in December 2005, by Ahmed Kokon (NY) and Jonathan Padilla (CA). The High School Democrats of America is headed by an Executive Board, consisting of 5 National Officers, and a National Committee consisting of two representatives from individual states, territories, and the District of Columbia. The Executive Board also employs a group of volunteer staff, ranging from Financial Directors to Political Advisors. The organization is involved in a number of projects, including a Huffington Post blogging project and a separate publishing opportunity through The Progressive Teen. Both projects are aimed at inspiring political discourse and offering members the opportunity to voice their opinions important civic issues in a highly-visible setting. The organization has also proved instrumental and necessary in several campaigns across the country, including the election of Joseph Donnelly and Elizabeth Warren to the US Senate, as well as the notable election of President Barack H. Obama in 2008.
In June 2014, the High School Democrats of America formally ended its affiliation with the Young Democrats of America, and ceased function as the Young Democrats of America's High School Caucus. With the change, the position of National Parliamentarian became Development Director that served as Parliamentarian both dissolving disputes and presiding over elections. They held their first national conference, the HSDA Strategic Summit, in Washington D.C. during July 2015.
The organization has taken stances on important issues throughout the political spectrum, but has been recently focused on student loan reform, immigration reform, and gun control.
In July 2015, the following officers were elected to lead the organization:
The Current Executive Board:
National Chair: Jordan Cozby, Alabama
Executive Vice Chair: Liana Wang, Texas
Programs Director: Sedalia Mahlum, North Dakota
Communications Director: Hattie Seten, South Dakota
Development Director: Logan Arkema, Michigan
Its main Republican counterpart is the Teenage Republicans.
Past Executive Boards
The Executive Board of 2011-2012:
National Chair: Samina Hydery, New York
Executive Vice Chair: Atticus Franken, Illinois
Programs Director: Hassan Haider, New Jersey
Communications Director: Daqavise Winson, Indiana
National Parliamentarian: Aaron Wilder, Oklahoma
The Executive Board of 2012-2013:
National Chair: Hassan Haider, New Jersey
Executive Vice Chair: Nicholas Mitch, Indiana
Programs Director: Tejas Konduru, California
Communications Director: Nivedita Sankar, North Carolina
National Parliamentarian: Andrew Guenther, Indiana
The Executive Board of 2013-2014:
National Chair: Nicholas Mitch, Indiana
Executive Vice Chair: Dino Kadich, Arizona
Programs Director: Trenton Thornburg, Oklahoma
Communications Director: Eva Dickerson, Maryland
National Parliamentarian: George William Robert Pearcy, Indiana
The Executive Board of 2014-2015:
National Chair: Trenton Thornburg, Oklahoma
Executive Vice Chair: Eva Dickerson, Maryland
Programs Director: Neah Bois, Utah
Communications Director: Jordan Cozby, Alabama
Development Director: Miriam Young, Connecticut