Executive Board
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Lyle Griggs - ChairA rising senior at Bishop Seabury Academy in Lawrence, Lyle Griggs will serve as Chairperson during the 2020-21 academic year. Lyle’s work in KSHSD began when he was appointed Co-Project Manager in July 2019. Later, he became Chair of Staff amid restructuring of the Executive Board in January 2020. Although Lyle has always been politically engaged, his political involvement truly began when he volunteered for several 2018 campaigns. Lyle is fiercely committed to electing an equitable and environmentally responsible government that functions without interference from private, religious, or foreign interests. Outside of KSHSD, Lyle participates in policy debate, forensics, journalism, 4-H, Academic WorldQuest, exhibition poultry, and student council and serves as Student Advisor on the board of the Watkins Museum of History in Lawrence. “I am thrilled to serve as Chairperson of the Kansas High School Democrats alongside the committed and talented 2020-21 Executive Board. With their help, I am confident that we can build on the momentum of our inaugural year to make this organization a major force in Kansas politics, one that can truly make a difference at the polls. The most pivotal election in American history is just over four months away, and I’m excited to work with young people across the state to turn local, state, and national governing bodies blue,” he commented.
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Kenna McNally - Vice Chair
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A rising junior at Lawrence High School, Kenna McNally is Vice Chairperson of the Kansas High School Democrats. Kenna first became politically involved after the 2016 elections, when she began attending protests and rallies in the Lawrence area. Kenna’s priorities are LGBTQ+ rights, immigration, racial equity, and increasing voter engagement. Having served as KSHSD secretary during the 2019-20 academic year, Kenna looks forward to “continuing our work from last year”. Beyond KSHSD, Kenna is a dancer at the Lawrence Arts Center in the Lawrence Ballet Theatre program, Editor-in-Chief of the Red and Black yearbook, Girl Scout, chair of Night Prowl Planning Committee, volunteer for the Barbara Bollier for Kansas campaign, a Capella choir member, LINK crew member, Scholars’ Bowl participant, and photographer. “I am so excited to be able to use KSHSD this year to involve teens all across the state in the matters that are so important to our futures,” she commented.
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Rachel Krambeer - Chief of Staff
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A rising senior at Lawrence High School, Rachel Krambeer will serve as Chief of Staff of the Kansas High School Democrats. Rachel first became politically involved in middle school before joining Lawrence High’s Young Democrats club, then unaffiliated with HSDA. During the 2019-20 academic year, she was Vice President of her local chapter and served as Finance Director on the state Executive Board. A committed Democrat, Rachel is particularly passionate about environmental issues and the need for comprehensive education reform. Beyond KSHSD, Rachel is president of her high school’s Model United Nations club, participates in varsity debate, is Features Editor for the LHS Budget, participates in National Honor Society, and was a National qualifier in National History Day. “I am incredibly excited to work with the regional directors this year to make KSHSD encompass all regions and districts in Kansas, especially rural areas, and to expand our horizons beyond primarily northeast Kansas. In the past year, we accomplished setting up Zoom calls with local democratic candidates, encouraged voter registration, and organized an event that never had the chance to happen, all in the midst of figuring out how the organization would work in its very first year. I can’t wait to see what this established organization will achieve in the next year and am incredibly excited to be a part of it,” she commented.
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Caroline Toland - Communications Director
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A rising eighth-grader at Jardine Middle School in Topeka, Caroline Toland will serve on a team of three Communications Directors this year. While young (Caroline is both the youngest student on the Executive Board and one of our youngest members in the state), she has long been involved in politics. In 2018, she volunteered for Laura Kelly’s successful gubernatorial campaign and has been active ever since. Caroline is excited to join the Kansas High School Democrats in order to help address social injustice, educate and engage fellow young people, and provide a voice for younger students like herself. Beyond political engagement, Caroline participates in orchestra, competitive swimming, piano, and tennis. “I am very excited to join the Kansas High School Democrats and provide a voice for middle schoolers and other voiceless communities,” she commented.
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Conner Thrash - Communications Director
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A rising senior at Concordia Sr. High School in Concordia, Conner Thrash will serve on a team of three Communications Directors this year. Conner became fascinated by politics in junior high when he “began to open his eyes to the injustices that were happening and continue to happen in America”. Living in rural Kansas, however, he has not had many opportunities to broaden his political horizons, which he hopes to do through KSHSD. Conner is concerned by “countless issues that need to be addressed” but is particularly passionate about addressing threats to the LGBTQ+ community: “Because I am a gay man living in a small conservative town, I was forced at a very young age to become aware of the discrimination my community faces on the daily. I look forward to having the opportunity to make a difference for my people”. Outside of KSHSD, Conner is involved in Debate, Forensics, drama, journalism, Spanish club, National Honors Society, and Lions club. “I am a young, gay, democratic-socialist living in rural Kansas. To say that I am thrilled to serve on the Kansas High School Democrats Executive Board is the understatement of the century. As a part of the year’s Communications Team, I am eager and ready to wholeheartedly dedicate my efforts to representing and expanding this amazing association. It is a privilege to work alongside such a wonderful collection of activists. The time for change is now, and I believe this year’s executive team is the perfect group to make it,” he commented.
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Amita Ganesh - Communications Director and Regional Director
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A rising senior at Blue Valley Northwest High School in Overland Park, Amita Ganesh will serve as 3rd District Regional Director and as one of three Co-Communications Directors. Amita became interested in politics through her exposure to social justice issues and her understanding of the political implications behind them. After participating in a school walkout after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, she began to look for more ways to become politically involved in her community. This included joining Overland Park Teen Council, volunteering for various organizations in her area such as Youth Empower KC. Amita is passionate about “tackling the issue of racial injustice and working to create a system that doesn’t discriminate based on gender, sex, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or status”. Outside of KSHSD, Amita participates in DECA, Model UN, Barathanatyam (a style of Indian Classical Dance), and Zero Reasons Why (a campaign to prevent teen suicide). She also serves on the Executive Board of BVNW Mental Health Club and will serve as Student Body President in the 2020-2021 school year. “I’m thrilled to serve on the Kansas High School Democrats Executive Board. I look forward to connecting with fellow leaders across Kansas to work towards positive change in our ever-progressing state. Seeing the passion from not only my fellow executive board members, but local chapters statewide, has assured me that we can accomplish everything we intend to this year. I’m grateful for this opportunity and have no doubt that I’ll learn so much from it,” she commented.
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Forrest Brungardt - Political Director
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Forrest Brungardt, a rising senior at Seaman High School near Topeka, will continue to coordinate legislative and political efforts as Political Director. During the 2019-20 academic year, Forrest served as Research Director and then Legislative Director as well as being the Chair of Seaman High School Democrats. Forrest is unsure why he developed a passion for politics, although his love of history is one factor: “politics just seems to me like the modern application of history”. A true Kansas policy wonk, Forrest submitted a bill to make election day a state holiday in the 2020 Legislative Session and testified on its behalf. Consistent with this policy emphasis, Forrest is most focused on ending the Republican supermajority in the KS Legislature and getting Governor Laura Kelly’s legislation passed. Beyond KSHSD, Forrest participates in the student council and his school’s civic engagement club. “In one year, the Kansas High School Dems have become one of the largest statewide chapters in HSDA. We have registered new voters, led protests throughout the state, and inspired a new wave of Kansas Democrats, but there is still so much to do. To end the Republican supermajority, Democrats only need to pick up one seat in the state House and three in the state Senate. If we can crack the supermajority, we will be able to force through Medicaid expansion, giving more than 100,000 Kansans healthcare. As Political Director, I will work tirelessly to organize volunteers for Democrats in swing districts, build a working relationship between students and those who represent us, and lobby for legislation in the statehouse,” he commented.
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Matthew Petillo - Research Coordinator
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A rising senior at Bishop Seabury Academy in Lawrence, Matthew Petillo will serve as Research Coordinator during the next academic year. While Matthew has long been politically inclined, he first became truly involved when he co-founded the Bishop Seabury chapter of KSHSD in 2019. This spring, Matthew was elected Treasurer of that local chapter. His political interests vary, but he is particularly passionate about education reform, ending voter disenfranchisement, and gun control. “I am honored to be able to serve on the Executive Board this year. I look forward to being able to push forward the Democratic agenda, making sure that this country is fair and equal to all. Even though the state organization has only existed for one year, I believe that we have made much change in that year, and I am happy that I am able to be a part of the continued change for the next year,” he said.
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Donnavan Dillon - Programs Director
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A rising senior at Lawrence High School, Donnavan Dillon serves as one of two Program Directors for KSHSD. Donnavan has always been interested in politics but got more involved when he joined the Lawrence High School Young Democrats during his freshman year. While his political priorities are diverse, he is most excited to help elect more democratic candidates into office across Kansas and get more students involved in local, state, and national politics. He hopes to show fellow young people that “through politics and engagement we can change our communities and our country for the better”. Beyond KSHSD, Donnavan serves on Lawrence High’s Student Council as Student Body President, is active in the HSDA Black Caucus, and participates in speech and debate. “I am ecstatic to serve as part of the 2020-2021 Executive Board. I’m excited about the trajectory the Kansas High School Democrats are currently on and I’m excited to be a part of what’s to come,” he commented.
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Daniel Sikes- Programs Director
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A rising senior at Lawrence High School, Daniel Sikes serves as one of two Program Directors for the Kansas High School Democrats. Daniel first became involved in politics after serving as a page for state senator Marci Francisco and observing the KS legislative process. Since then, he has been on a mission to make things within his home district better for all. As such, Daniel looks forward to addressing immigration policies and climate change during his tenure as Program Director. Aside from political involvement, Daniel spends his time playing soccer and swimming. He also participates in choir, Scholars Bowl, and Model UN. “I am extremely excited to serve on the Kansas High School Democrats Executive Board for the second year in a row. My fellow board members are collectively some of the smartest and most progressive minds in the state and I think we can make big steps forward this year. Despite the problems posed last year due to COVID-10, I think that we ended on a really strong note and have a fantastic starting point for the upcoming year! We have a lot of talent on the board this year and I think that can be utilized to create some great opportunities for the state of Kansas,” he commented.
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Sam Lopez - Treasurer
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A rising junior at Lawrence High School, Sam Lopez will serve as KSHSD Treasurer for the upcoming academic year. Sam first became interested in politics when he discovered a natural fascination with U.S. and world history: “I was so interested in the past and began to wonder what history will look like in the future. The way to know what it will look like is by paying attention now to our government and current issues of our country and how they can be resolved.” As a member of the KSHSD Executive Board, Sam most looks forward to helping young people become more involved in their local communities and have an impact regarding police reform and community-focused development. “I am incredibly excited to be a part of the executive board. Working with an amazing team of young people who are passionate about bettering our communities and state is something I am very much looking forward to," he commented.
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Tiana Marion - Regional Director
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Tiana Marion, a rising senior at Salina High School has been active in Model UN, speech and debate, and her school’s writing center throughout her time at SHS. Some of her earliest memories are going with her mother to vote, whether it be for President Obama, governor Kathleen Sebelius, or former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. “I hope that I can take part in showing the state and country what my home district can do. Whether that is electing a democrat into the House of Representatives for the 1st district in almost a century or working with KSHSD to get more democratic seats in the Kansas house and senate (to finally pass Medicaid expansion). In the context of a global pandemic and BLM protests across the country, now more than ever is the time for the younger generations of democrats to step up and lead. I am incredibly excited to be a part of that change in the 1st district,” she commented.
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Yoav Gillath - Regional Director
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Yoav Gillath, a rising senior at Free State High School in Lawrence, will serve as the Regional Director for the 2nd Congressional District. Yoav has a long history of political involvement beginning with Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign and has increased this level of involvement since he became President of the Free State Chapter of @hsdems. As a member of the KSHSD Executive Board, Yoav is looking forward to helping tackle climate change and systemic inequality. Beyond KSHSD, Yoav participates in the American Jewish Committee’s Leaders for Tomorrow, the Free State Student Athlete Leadership Team, NHS, Asian Culture Club, Varsity Track and Field, Varsity Soccer, Model UN, Philosophy Club, and is a mentor for the Future City Program. “It’s an honor to serve on this year’s executive board. We’re going to do great things this year and I’m excited to be a part of it. Together, we’ll be able to create lasting change in Kansas and maybe even turn Kansas blue, at a state or national election level. I have no doubt that our organization will be a national model for how to establish a successful democratc organization in a republican-majority state,” he commented.
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Sean Wentling - Regional Director
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A rising senior at Derby High School, located in Derby, KS, Sean Wentling’s interest in government and politics began in middle school. As he grew up and found a knack for history and ongoing events (both international and domestic) he joined his high school’s Debate and Forensics team, co-founded the Derby High School Democrats, and continues fighting for justice in every aspect of society. While serving for KSHSD he looks forward to addressing locational diversity, and to fight so that every high schooler can feel incentivized and excited to make a chapter, get involved, and flip Kansas blue. “This is exactly what i’ve been looking for since my freshman year: a space full of people with democratic ideals that work together to overcome the many obstacles that come with living in a red state. I’m eager to work with the rest of the executive board so that we can share our ideas and continue the work that needs to be done. KSHSD has made great strides and amazing progress this past year, but Central and West Kansas have yet to feel the impact; they need to be the ones that we focus on. Because of that, I’m ready to fight so that every high schooler can feel incentivized and excited to make a chapter, get involved, and flip our state blue,” he commented.
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