New Haven County High School Democrats
Who We Are
New Haven County High School Democrats (HSDems) chapter is a student-led local political organization that serves as an entry point to Democratic politics for high school students in New Haven county. HSDems is also an official chapter of the High School Democrats of America (HSDA) https://hsdems.org/, a group that advocates for the interests of high school Democrats in all fifty states.
Our Goals
-Promote Democratic Party ideas through activism and lobbying of government officials-Develop political leadership skills and community activism through internships at local/state/federal government agencies and national
political non-profit organizations-Register eligible high school students in New Haven County to voteTrain members to promote Democratic party ideas through activism and lobbying of government officials (calling & writing Senators, House of Representatives, give testimony at public hearings, etc.)Train members to promote elected officials and nominees of the Democratic party through campaign volunteering (phone banking, texting, writing postcards, data entry, neighborhood canvassing, etc.)Assist members in developing their political leadership skills and community activism by identifying fellowship and internship opportunities at local/state/national government offices and non-profit political organizations
Take Action
Below is a list of links to New Haven County HSDems chapter forms and other non-profit political organization's websites.
Excutive Board Members
Luke Izzo ([email protected]) is serving his first term as Chair for the New Haven County High School Democrats Chapter.
Luke is an 11th-grade student that is the head delegate for his school Model UN and Congress club. Luke serves on the board for his school’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance.
Luke is also the Senior Patrol Leader of his local Boy Scout troop and enjoys leading the group in adventures. Luke is a congressional intern for congresswoman Rosa DeLauro which he helps community members and assists the congresswoman in office tasks.
Luke is also a small business owner of a landscaping company and enjoys working outdoors. Luke currently tutors middle schoolers with disabilities in math.
Luke is very involved in grassroots politics and has volunteered for numerous political campaigns such as the Sanders, Warren, and Biden campaigns.
Luke wants to make a difference in local politics and promote civics among youth, through volunteering, campaigning, education, and recruitment.
Tristan Ward serves as the Legislative Director for the Connecticut High School Democrats and is the Vice-Chair for New Haven County High School Democrats chapter. He is also the Co-Captain of When We All Vote - Greater New Haven Squad and a member of the Connecticut Black Caucus.Tristan is passionate about social, racial, educational, and environmental justice for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color and is dedicated to helping create and promote diversity, inclusion, and equity.Tristan is attuned to the political climate in our country. That is why he is involved at the grassroots level so he can volunteer in political activities. In particular, Tristan involves himself in reaching out and recruiting other youth to become more civically educated, engaged, and registered to vote.Tristan is a student organizer of the New Haven Climate Movement which is developing a pilot program of Climate Justice Schools to be implemented in NHPS.Tristan is a New Haven Public School 10th-grade student and serves on his school’s Facing History Council, Black Lives Matter Club, and Gender and Sexuality Alliance. Tristan is a team member of his school’s Model UN and Model Congress Club and Yale Urban Debate League Club.
Jonas Ward serves as the Programs Director for the New Haven County High School Democrats (HSDems) chapter. He also planned and coordinated phone banking, texting, and canvassing for Connecticut State Senator candidates.
Jonas is a Youth Organizer for CityWide Youth Coalition (CWYC). He is a member of When We All Vote- Greater New Haven Chapter, Connecticut Black Caucus, Sunrise New Haven, Facing History Student Council, and Students for Education Justice (SEJ).
Jonas is a 9th-grade student at New Haven Public School and serves in his school’s Model United Nations team, and Debate team.
Jonas enjoys playing chess and has also volunteered as a chess instructor at LEAP and at the New Haven Free Public Library.
Executive Board Descriptions
Chair
The Chair serves as the Chief Executive of the New Haven County High School Democrats (HSDems) chapter, sets the agenda and chairs all meetings of the Executive Board, and serves as the official voice of this organization.
Vice-ChairsThe Vice-Chairs (2) assist the Chair in carrying out all Chief Executive duties and jointly act as Chair during any temporary absence of the Chair. It shall be the specific responsibility of the Vice-Chairs that HSDems’ activities are inclusive and reflective of the diversity of its membership and that diversity and inclusions are priorities of the organization.
Communications DirectorThe Communications Director is responsible for crafting and broadcasting the message of HSDems, interacting with the press, updating HSDems’ website and digital infrastructure, and maintaining HSDems’ social media presence via Tiktok, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube.
Programs DirectorThe Programs Director plans events, collaborations, and programs,
Including campaigning activities such as canvassing, texting, phone banking, writing postcards. Plan and organize voter registration drives with other local political organizations and city/town Registrars Offices.
Expansion/Outreach DirectorThe Expansion Director leads HSDems’ membership recruitment and retention, by way of a strategic plan involving a variety of tactics, including text messages, DMs on Instagram, posting on other social media accounts, and email blasts to high school and middle school principals, youth-based non-profit organizations, and political officials, city/town commissions, and boards.
Legislative-Advocacy DirectorThe Legislative - Advocacy Director is responsible for researching, identifying, and presenting key legislation that is aligned with HSDems’ goals and objectives, and for leading in lobbying efforts for key legislation supported/opposed by HSDems, and assist in the development of policy positions and legislative initiatives.
Education and Training DirectorThe Education and Training Director is responsible for identifying training programs such as campaign activities, voter registration, and voter mobilization that are offered by other non-profit political organizations for HSDems members to attend. Researches and identifies programs, presentations, panel discussions, or other events that teach about Voting Rights, Voters Suppression, and other current or historical political movements and identifies fellowships, internships, or volunteer opportunities for which HSDems could apply.
Records and Archives DirectorThe Records and Archives Director is responsible for long-term management and safekeeping of HSDems’ official records, data, growth, election results, bylaws, and resolutions for keeping formal records of minutes of all meetings.
Contact Us
Recents Press Features- Members in the Communtity
- Sebastian Ward and Natalie Semmel, HSDems Founders, were featured in "Inaugural Call: “We Have To Believe In One Another” article
- Luke Izzo, HSDems Chair, was featured in "COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available for Ages 16 and Up" article
- Sebastian Ward, an HSDems Founder, was featured in "Students To Legislature: It's Time To Undo Racism"
- Luke Izzo, HSDems Chair, was featured in "Wednesday’s Warrior: Northford teen uses social media to help thousands find COVID vaccine appointments" article
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