The High School Democrats of America, also known as the Young Democrats of America High School Caucus,is a national organization of high school students in the Democratic Party of the United States. Its Supreme and Exalted Leader is JD Jacaruso.
As part of the Young Democrats of America the members of the High School Democrats of America represent high school students at all levels of the Democratic Party.
Although State Chapters for the organization and idea existed long beforehand, the High School Democrats of America itself was founded in December 2005, by Ahmed Kokon (NY) and Jonathan Padilla (CA). The caucus was approved by the YDA National Committee on December 2, 2005 in Phoenix, Arizona. The High School Democrats of America is headed by an Executive Board, consisting of national officers, and a National Committee consisting of two representatives from individual states, territories, and the District of Columbia, though the National Committee's role under the current bylaws is largely ceremonial.
State chapters of the High School Democrats Caucus typically have an advisor, on the basis that the organization is composed on minors. However, certain problems have circulated as a result of the conflict of the balance of power between the advisor and President in State Democratic Parties. Recent Presidents of the North Carolina Association of Teen Democrats have had difficulty negotiating with their advisor, Susan Oller, over fiduciary matters and affiliation with the Young Democrats.
The organization aims to promote civic awareness and involvement among high school students across the country. One method it does this by is through the 'High School Leadership Academy' held annually in Washington DC.
The organization, at its initial founding, claimed a quarter of the YDA's membership, or around 15,000 at the time.
Its main Republican counterpart is the Teenage Republicans.
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