High School Democrats of America

The High School Democrats of America (HSDA) is a student-led organization that seeks to mobilize young people and elect Democrats. HSDA student activists across the country engage in political activity and advance the agenda of the Democratic Party.

High School Democrats of America
Founded2005 (2005)
IdeologyModern liberalism[1]
Progressivism[2]
Social liberalism[3]
Mother partyDemocratic Party
MagazineThe Progressive Teen
Websitehsdems.org

Formerly part of the Young Democrats of America,[4][5] HSDA represents high school students at all levels of the Democratic Party.[6]

History

Although individual unaffiliated state chapters existed long beforehand, the High School Democrats of America itself was founded in December 2005, by Ahmed Kokon (NY) and Jonathan Padilla (CA). In June 2014, the High School Democrats of America formally ended its affiliation with the Young Democrats of America, and ceased functioning as the Young Democrats of America's High School Caucus. With the change, the position of National Parliamentarian became Development Director. The Development Director served as Parliamentarian by both dissolving disputes and presiding over elections. The organization held its first national conference, the HSDA Strategic Summit, in Washington D.C. during July 2015[7] At the 2019 summer meeting of the Democratic National Committee in San Francisco, California, the party's Charter and Bylaws was amended to grant HSDA two seats on the DNC.[8]

HSDA members pose on the steps of the United States Capitol

Organization

The national organization presides over HSDA as a whole. It is led by the National Executive Board, which consists of the Chair, two Vice Chairs of different genders, the Communications Director, the Programs Director, and the Development Director. The National E-Board is responsible for overseeing the organization, expanding HSDA, and working with states to promote Democratic causes. The National E-Board is elected every year by a ranked-choice election accessible to all membership regardless of location. Leadership also includes a National Committee consisting of two representatives from individual states, territories, and the District of Columbia, in addition to Chairs and Vice Chairs from each Caucus. The Executive Board employs a group of volunteer staff,[9] ranging from Financial Directors to Political Advisors.

Each state organization works with all the local chapters in their state, and is responsible for connecting chapters, expanding HSDA, working on legislation, and promoting Democratic causes at the state level. State chapters also have an extensive list of accolades, including hosting a “Unity Day” with the Teen Age Republicans to promote bipartisanship. Each state holds its own elections to determine who assumes state leadership.

Local chapters at high schools and in communities work at a grassroots level by rallying young people behind causes. Local HSDA chapters have organized marches, registered voters, and helped to elect Democrats in their own communities.[10]

Activities

The organization is involved in a number of projects, including a Huffington Post blogging project and a separate publishing opportunity through The Progressive Teen, which serves as the official magazine of the organization with a full editorial staff. 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 Joe Donnelly and Elizabeth Warren to the US Senate, as well as the notable election of President Barack H. Obama in 2008.[11] 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. After the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in February 2018, HSDA members began to advocate for stronger gun control.

Since 2015, HSDA has hosted an annual summit in Washington D.C. to train student activists and teach them to organize in their communities. HSDA has also garnered the attention of several notable politicians, including Sen. Cory Booker, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Former Vice President Joe Biden.

2020-2021 Executive Board

2020-2021 Caucus Leaders

Asian American/Pacific Islanders Caucus:

Black Caucus:

  • Chair: Ala'a Tamam of Illinois
  • Vice Chair: Scottie Spears of Ohio

First Generation Caucus:

Indigenous Peoples Caucus:

Jewish Caucus:

Latinx Caucus:

LGBTQ+ Caucus:

Muslim Caucus:

Unity Caucus (Formerly Disabled Peoples Caucus):

Women's Caucus:

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See also

Notes and references
  1. "President Obama, the Democratic Party, and Socialism: A Political Science Perspective". The Huffington Post. June 29, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  2. Ball, Molly. "The Battle Within the Democratic Party". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  3. Paul Starr. "Center-Left Liberalism". Princeton University. Archived from the original on March 3, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2014.
  4. YDA | YDA Structure Archived May 8, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  5. YDA Archived October 29, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  6. http://www.nyaamerica.org/2011/02/02/hsda/
  7. https://web.archive.org/web/20150821225555/https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1sRqZS5w6R7EODbHar4i3F02tnj2aAj-TslqcwPh2rwc/viewform?c=0&w=1&fbzx=4024736787043583710
  8. https://medium.com/the-progressive-teen/national-high-school-democrats-of-america-gains-representation-on-the-dnc-c5252488eac
  9. https://medium.com/the-progressive-teen/introducing-our-2016-17-national-staff-e2d147ab4c4d
  10. https://hsdems.org/our-impact
  11. https://web.archive.org/web/20160109000538/http://hsdems.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/HSDA-Accomplishments-Fall-20142.pdf
  12. https://www.instagram.com/p/CBy3lpxAI14/
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