Executive Board
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Alex Teasley - ChairAlex was elected to serve as the 2022-2023 Chair of KSHSD! Alex has been a part of KSHSD for 2 years and previously served as Co-Director of Programming. They got involved in politics in 2018 as an intern for Sharice Davids. Currently, they just finished the Prairie Roots fellowship program and they are highly involved with the Kansas City Hub of the Sunrise Movement. Alex is a rising senior at Olathe North. Outside of politics, Alex plays the cello, serves as an officer for the Olathe North feminist club, and works at a local preschool.
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Benjamin Dome - Vice Chair
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Benjamin Dome was elected to serve as the 2022-2023 Vice Chair! Ben is a sophomore at Victoria Jr. Sr. High school in Victoria, Kansas. He works closely with the Hammond For State House Campaign and the Ellis County Democratic Party. He is also the National Advocacy Co-Director for the national High School Democrats of America and a Prairie Roots fellow alumni. Outside of politics he enjoys anything FCCLA, grabbing coffee with friends, and listening to Taylor Swift. Ben is super excited to connect with members and ride the blue wave to victory this year!!
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Caroline Toland - Chief Of Staff
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Caroline Toland is a sophomore at Topeka High School who serves as the Chief of Staff for KSHSD. Caroline had been involved with the Executive Board for 3 years and has been involved with both local and statewide campaigns around the state. In school she is part of the String Orchestra Council as the communication’s director and a member of French Club. She is an avid musician and a member of the Women’s Varsity Swim Team at Topeka High. Caroline is excited to be working with KSHSD to get more young advocates involved with KSHSD while also addressing climate change, social injustice issues, LGBTQIA+ rights, reproductive rights, and so much more.
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Elias Markle - Communications Director
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An eighth grader at Eisenhower Middle School in Manhattan, Kansas, Elias Markle will serve as the Communications Director for Kansas High School Democrats for the 2022-2023 administration. He is a nuanced campaign operative, who has played a role in 7 campaigns and political action groups including Fanny Fang for County Commissioner, Students Demand Action, and Bollier for Kansas. Elias said, “I am delighted to join the staff of such an important organization for the betterment of the Democratic Party and progressivism overall.” In his time spent away from politics, he enjoys playing tennis, watching Gilmore Girls, picnicking in the park with friends, and going to therapy
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Rene Cabrera - Expansion Director
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Rene is a Senior at Seaman High School in Topeka. Rene Cabrera will be serving as Expansion Director for this year. He has worked for numerous campaign on the local, state, & federal level. Rene joined KSHSD back in his freshman year as a way to support, grow, & diversify the work that youth democrats do across the state. He is most passionate about anti-racism & more growth for immigrants. On top of serving as Expansion Director, Rene is apart of FCCLA, the Topeka Youth Commission, Student Council, & various other clubs/organizations. Rene is also known as a prominent leader in the Rename Seaman Schools movement, which gained national attention in hopes of changing the name after its KKK affiliated founder. He also stated, “Progress can be made across the state for young people, I am glad to be serving on the board this year to expand and engage our membership for years to come.”
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Isabella Foster - Research Director
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Isabella Foster is a rising sophomore at Olathe North High School, serving as this year’s Research Director for KSHSD! Outside of politics, Isabella is involved in Debate and Forensics as a co-captain of the team, and Choir as a member of the executive board. At North, they study political science as a member of the Distinguished Scholars academy. This year, they hope to build up political connections working on campaigns and political student organizations. After high school, they hope to They hope to double major in Political Science and Pre-Law at the University of Michigan with a minor in Philosophy.
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Cindy Ntembe - Secretary
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Cindy Ntembe is a high school senior at Blue Valley High School. She serves as secretary of the Kansas High School Democrats! Cindy works as President of her school's History Honors Society. She has always been involved in local politics through her parents as a child. During her sophomore year she worked on the Cole Fine campaign and the summer of her Junior year she was a fellow working at Prairie Roots. In her free time Cindy enjoys park walks, playing the violin and reading.
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Levi Gleason - Editor-in-Chief
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A Junior at Hoxie High School, Levi is interested in any and all things news. Starting his first newspaper in middle school Levi has always had a drive to bring news to people. After getting involved in local politics Levi gained an interest for the political landscape at a larger level. Joining KSHSD in 2021, Levi is a second year member. Outside of Journalism and KSHSD Levi is involved in: FCCLA, Pep Band, Cross Country, Track, and Swim. If he is not writing or at school you might also find him at either The Sheridan Sentinel where he works as an Intern/Staff Writer, or the Elephant Bistro & Bar where he works as a server on the weekends. Levi commented "I am so excited to see what we can do as an organization this year with KSHSD. I think a blue wave is up and coming among the younger generation in Kansas. Lets get this done!"
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