Ava Reese - Executive Director
A Sophomore at Manhattan High School, Ava decided that Manhattan was lacking opportunities for those politically activated and engaged, so she decided to provide the opportunity for those with her passion. Ava considers herself a democratic socialist, and she is passionate about foreign policy, ratifying the ERA, and is an environmentalist! Ava is currently a volunteer on Barbara Bollier's Senate Campaign and Fanny Fang's campaign for Riley County Commissioner. She is also a member of Manhattan High's Kansas High School Democrats chapter and she has served three terms with the Youth Volunteer Corps' International Advisory Board. Ava spends her non-political time playing volleyball and the cello!
Sam Delong - Executive Member
A Junior at Manhattan High School, Sam is an active member of the Manhattan community. Politically, Sam is passionate about public education funding, progressive taxation and wealth redistribution, voting reform, and criminal justice reform. Sam is the president of the Manhattan High Chapter of Kansas High School Democrats, he volunteered on Usha Reddi's Senate Campaign, and will begin to volunteer on Kali Barnett and Barbara Bollier's campaigns in the fall. Aside from politics, Sam is passionate about policy debate, singing, acting, playing tennis, piano, and learning new languages. Fun fact about Sam: His dad rescued one of his dogs from a tornado!
Richelle Collado - Executive Member
Richelle is a Senior at Manhattan High School, who is passionate about helping others. Politically, she believes in gun control, Medicare for All, police reform, equality for all, reproductive freedom, free education, and open borders. Asides from politics, Richelle plays violin in the Manhattan High Chamber Orchestra. Fun fact about Richelle: She is allergic to tree nuts.
Emma Becerra - Executive Member
Emma is a Sophomore at Manhattan High School. She believes in reproductive freedom, gun control, defunding the police, lgbtq+ rights, abolishing ICE, Black Lives Matter, and Medicare for All. Fun fact about Emma: She likes Anime and dislikes ignorant people!
Ronan Tanona - Executive Member
Ronan, a junior at Manhattan High School, is an avid baker, hiker, biker, and enjoys studying languages. He is involved with the Fanny Fang campaign for Riley County Commission and the Barbara Bollier campaign for Senate. He is a member of Kansas High School Democrats and Students Demand Action MHK. Politically, Ronan is passionate about fighting climate change, reforming the criminal justice system, protecting voter rights, and strengthening social welfare programs. Fun fact about Ronan: He loves fresh produce!
Sophia Steffensmeier - Executive Member
Annabelle Jung - Executive Member
Annabelle is a Sophomore at Manhattan High School who describes herself as a "Boba and Cat Enthusiast." A democrat socialist, her prime political issues are reproductive freedom, abolishing the police, abolishing ICE, reforming the justice system, and advocating for a more sustainable fashion industry. Annabelle is also a member of Manhattan High's chapter of Kansas High School Democrats and is on the Manhattan Debate team. Outside of politics, Annabelle plays the clarinet in the MHS Band and the Gold Orchestra.
Sophia Steffensmeier - Executive Member
A Sophomore at Manhattan High School, Sophia is a champion for Gun Control in Manhattan, the founder of a local chapter of Students Demand Action, an initiative for Gun Control that has spread nationwide. Sophia considers herself a Liberal, an advocate for Gun Control, LGBTQ+ Rights, Open Borders, and Reproductive Freedom! Besides politics, Sofia is a competitive Swimmer, and loves to spend time with her family. Sofia says, "I believe it takes a few people to change the world."
Eli Eickoff - Executive Member
Eli is a Freshman at Manhattan High School. He is politically passionate about affordable healthcare, reproductive freedom, and keeping our Earth clean. Besides politics, Eli is a member of a local Scouts troop and he plays Viola in the MHS Chamber Orchestra.