HIGH SCHOOL DEMOCRATS OF AMERICA

2009 Candidates List

This is the candidate list for the 2009 High School Democrats of America National Convention.Please contactegoldberg@hsdems.orgif you have any questions. A description of the positions isat the end of the guide.

NATIONAL CHAIR

Sania Rahim

Woodrow Wilson High School (2011), West Virginia

I, Sania Rahim, seek the office of National Chair of the High School Democrats of America organization. I amrunning for the sole purpose of advancing this organization, which requires its leadership to work at a stateand local level, working from the ground up. If elected, I intend to work closely with the newly-electedExecutive Board, furthering efforts to organize and recruit progressive high school students all across thisnation, because only then can we expand and multiply our efforts, trying to elect Democratic leaders atlocal, state, and national levels.In order to effectively maximize the organization’s efforts it is imperative that the new Executive Board putsforth a sense of transparency and reaches out to its members. This can only be done if a clarifiedconstitution and by-laws are set into place and are available to all members of the High School Democrats.As Chief Executive of the organization I will strive to put forth this sense of transparency so as to create linesof communication and collaboration between members of the caucus and Executive Board.I recognize the potential in young leaders all across this country and deem it necessary to keep high schoolstudents involved in the democratic process. I believe this organization has a duty towards high schoolstudents, and that it is our responsibility to keep them engaged in the political process. To increase memberinvolvement and activity I propose that the organization offer initiatives to promote friendly competitionbetween states to further advance and rebuild the caucus. To fund these initiatives, as well as cover other costs of the caucus, a strategic fundraising plan will have tobe put into place by the Executive Board. If elected, I intend to work hand in hand with the Director of Finance and the National Committee to carry out this plan. We will work with each state to facilitate anannual fundraiser that is not only efficient but unique. This will empower each state to truly manage theirfinances as well as support the national High School Caucus alike. This money will be used to restore eachstate’s high school chapters to their full potential through various means such as the national website,programs, and workbooks that will offer the necessary information and materials state chairs will need tosuccessfully manage their caucuses. This caucus has the potential to become a powerful force during election years. Whether or not it lives up tothis is up to the members of this organization. These goals will not be achieved without the hard work andperseverance of the upcoming Executive Board and caucus members. The manner in which we conductourselves will ultimately define who we are, what we stand for, and how we plan to move forward these nextfew years. It has been my privilege to have worked with such bright and ambitious individuals these past fewyears and I look forward to serving you in the future.Democratically yours,Sania Rahim

Ryan Davis

Winchester Community High School (2010), Indiana

Broken dreams empty promises leaders with no leadership. Far too often races like ours turn into popularitycontests. Who can get the most Facebook members or who can raise the most money; however, the mainfocus for YDA should be to continue the young voter revolution.

We can tell from the 2008 campaigns that high school students across the country are eager to get involvedand ready work for the Democratic Party. In truth the high school caucus should be growing at a rapid rate.We need leadership, not just people holding titles.I come from a small, rural, and highly Republican town in Indiana. I created and was elected President of the Young Democrats of Randolph County because of my strong work ethic. I am also an active member of theIndiana Young Democrats and spear-headed the Indiana Young Democrats High School Caucus, which isdedicated to fighting for the best interests of high school students across the state. I also took on a muchhigher role serving as Vice-Chair for the Indiana Young Democrats in the 6th district of my state. In each of these positions, I have exhibited real, pragmatic leadership. I did not earn these titles through sitting aroundand doing nothing. I am a fighter, continually working in the best interest of all.For the past year I have had the pleasure of serving as the National Treasurer for our great caucus. I wouldlove to continue working for the caucus as your National Chair. If elected as chair, I will not be full of emptypromises. I plan on continuing to work on this Young Voter Revolution and keep high school students active.For example, not only will I work with each and every state to strengthen or create their high school caucus,but also I will create the first ever High School Leadership Academy, a summer program dedicated todeveloping the best and brightest high school students in our party. I believe in our caucus. It works. We justneed proper leadership which I believe I and the Unity Slate have to offer.I ask that before you make this crucial decision in deciding who to support for the High School Caucus Chairyou think about it for just a moment. I am just a normal Midwestern high school student, but I am also adedicated leader. When I first attended a YDA conference, I wasn’t able to just whip out my credit card. No,instead I had to go door-to-door, asking friends and neighbors to sponsor me. That is what being a Democratis about, not fancy logos or slogans, but pure compassion.If you stand with me as your chair I promise to not fail you. It is time that we are no longer looked down uponfor being high school students but rather looked up to as the future leaders of our party that we are.God Bless,Ryan Davis

EXECUTIVE VICE CHAIR

Kyle Dignoti

Salpointe Catholic High School (2011), Arizona

I, Kyle Dignoti, am seeking the office of vice chair for the High School Democrats of America. At a local andnational level, I have seen the power of youth in politics. The success of high school students in thedemocratic process has been insurmountable and, we, as a caucus need to capitalize upon that success andfurther it. Even in the midst of our great accomplishments though, there is much work left to do.If elected, I intend to improve in areas that are vital to the success of our caucus. I plan to work alongside thenewly elected Executive Board to improve caucus communication. Without a solid level of communicationbetween national and state leaders, our caucus loses effectiveness. Improving communication is a toppriority of mine. If elected I plan to conduct outreach to every state leader to develop strong communicationand to assure that members of the caucus know that the Executive Board is a resource for every student.Another goal I have, if elected, is for the caucus to expand where there is a lack of high school organizations.With the Executive Board, I wish to aid in the start-up of new caucuses but also to maintain existing ones. The maintaining of already present high school caucuses and clubs is essential to our success as a caucusand as Democrats. With the Board, I wish to make certain that once high school students graduate, newleadership is ready to take on the roll as democratic leaders.I recognize the importance that the democratic process has on our lives. Therefore, we need to be absolutelycertain that high school students stay involved in politics. Incentives, along with an Executive Board createdfinancial plan need to be put into effect to ensure that a level of involvement from high school students

remains.With the new Executive Board, I wish to develop relationships with state leaders at the high school level andbeyond so that in the future, as the 2010 election nears, a team of leaders is created to further our goals asDemocrats. A link between national level organizers and local ones needs to be created to create a caucusthat is at work for every member. This caucus can become the voice for every high school student in America. We recognize the need for moreyoung people in democratic politics. We can and will strive to abolish the notion that young people areapathetic when it comes to politics. As a team of leaders, this caucus can be a powerful force for our party.With commitment and diligence, we can get there.It has been an honor and a privilege to work with some of the brightest young minds in the country. I wish tothank everyone that has worked to enrich this caucus and I look forward to the work that lies ahead of us.In service,Kyle Dignoti

Melissa Moskowitz

East Brunswick High School (2010), New Jersey

I am running to be the Vice Chair of the High School Caucus of Young Democrats of America because Ibelieve that together we can bring about the right kind of change and right type of reforms. I believe that Ican serve the Caucus in its goals to flourish and provide new and innovative opportunities, all while givingour members the best type of leadership and the tools to succeed as successful Young Democrats.As Chairwoman of the Young Democrats High School Caucus in New Jersey I have been able to successfullyorganize and coordinate events which highlight the best aspects of the Democratic Party and the UnitedStated of America, such as canvassing, speakers, debates, campaigning, and of course parties.When we started the Caucus in New Jersey we had one person running everything. Under my term weexpanded the size of the Caucus, began a fundraising program, and created the first New Jersey High SchoolCaucus Executive Board.I have successfully led many youth oriented campaigns. I served Director of Youth Outreach for CongressmanRob Andrews’ Senate Campaign. In this role, I worked to organize a student fundraiser that was attended bythe Congressman and highlighted the best of our youth movement.I also served Co-Director of the NJ High School Students for Barack Obama. In this role, I organized eventswhere students attended and learned how to become leaders themselves. In addition, I helped to organize aGOTV overnight trip to Philadelphia to rock the vote for President Obama!One of my core issues is the environment. In my town I serve as the County Secretary for the Sierra Club andas the Vice President of my school's environmentalist club.I know that if I were given this unbelievable opportunity to serve my peers, party, and country, I woulddevout all of my heart to ensuring this organization would be the best it could possibly be.

POLITICAL DIRECTOR

Zachary Roach

Murray High School (2010), Utah

I am a viable candidate for Political Director because I have suburb research abilities and a passion forpolitics that is necessary for this position. For the past year I have attended many of the Democratic