Student Starts Weston Teen Democrats
Author: Katie Switalski, Sagemont HS

There is a club in Weston called the Weston Democratic Club, where residents can go and discuss politics and events with each other, but what about the younger generation? Who can they turn to when they want to get involved in politics? Weston resident, Zachary Jellson, 16, came up with the perfect solution.

Zachary’s interest in politics started when he was younger, but it wasn’t until the 2000 election that he really began getting into it. “By the time the 2004 reelection was here, I knew that I wanted to get involved with politics and see the difference that I could make,” he says. Politics became his hobby because, “it is what governs us; it is what rules us.”

So, earlier this year, he created the Weston Teen Democrats to help share his love of politics with other teens in and around Weston. “The purpose of this club is to raise political awareness in Weston. Through different venues I hope to bring current events and news to other teens around town.”

The club meets once or twice a month, usually at Zachary’s house but also at the Bonaventure Town Center. The aforementioned Weston Democratic Club helps the kids out by inviting them to sit in on their meetings and offering them political hints.

The club currently has about 12 members, all of them teens with keen interests in politics. “I think teenagers are becoming increasingly apathetic about the world we live in,” says member Leon Arteche. “I’m proud to be a member of the Weston Teen Democrats because not only am I able to voice my opinion, I’m able to see different people’s viewpoints about politics.”

A usual meeting either consists of planning events or discussing current events and world news. Past events have included guest speaker Franklin Sands in November, and petitions to stop gerrymandering. Another guest speaker, Mitch Cesar, is scheduled for February.

So, what is Zach dreaming of doing next? “I would love to increase our numbers and have larger events incorporating a lot of Weston teens. Hopefully the club will become an integral part of the city.” And after that? Perhaps it is becoming the next president of the United States.

Visit the Weston Teen Democrats website at http://www.myspace.com/westonteendemocrats for more information. You can also visit the online store at www.cafepress.com/wtdemocrats.

As published at Weston on the Web