Thank you very much for visiting our page on the First Congressional District Youth Cabinet.
The First District Congressional Youth Cabinet is a source of immeasurable pride for me. The young men and women that make up this extraordinary group are not only an inspiration in their commitment to public service, but an invaluable source of information for me on the issues that affect youth throughout the community.
All members of the Congressional Youth Cabinet are nominated by their schools to serve. If you would like more information on this process, please contact Eva Bunnell on my staff at (860) 278-8888.
I hope you enjoy reading about all the wonderful things our youth cabinet is up to and, if you are a young person, please consider joining yourself!
Sincerely,
John B. Larson Member of Congress
Who We Are and Why Our Voices Count
The First Congressional Youth Cabinet was created in 2008 by Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01). It is comprised of two students from each high school within Connecticut’s First Congressional District. According to Congressman Larson, the youth voice provides a unique and valuable perspective on shaping American policy. He has made the term “youth engagement” a meaningful and genuine action. The Youth Cabinet is a concrete demonstration of his strong commitment to the health and wellbeing of children, youth, and families in the First District and across the nation.
At no point in American history is youth engagement more critical than now; and new technology provides youth with powerful new tools for positive action. No one can deny that we live in a global and technologically advanced world – a world in which people can connect and do business from anywhere on the planet in literally an instant. This creates an exciting opportunity for today's youth, who have access to technologies that were unimaginable a generation ago. Technological changes over the past few decades have affected almost everything that our parents, grandparents and ancestors have known in their homes, lives, and work places.
We believe American youth have not been stunted by technology, but rather are the face of how technological change is enriching our lives. Youth are the hosts of a new potential that provides Americans with increased ability to shape our nation’s path and role in the leadership of a new world. Youth have unprecedented access to a vast network of peers. Youth can communicate with one another in real time and can be valuable in strengthening the ties that bind us regardless of how government sees their role. And youth now are changing how youth of the future will live.
In many ways, today’s youth are finding themselves on the edge of a new frontier. In this new frontier our nation must remain strong and show the world the strength of its democratic government. Youth involvement is the catalyst to a healthy and strong democracy and we believe the Youth Cabinet can help youth realize their incredible potential.
Members
Sarah Hague (Barkhamsted) Katie Blouin (Hartland) Lucy Ungaro (Wethersfield) Breana Vessichio (Berlin) Matthew Wilson (Wethersfield) Calvin Brown (Bristol) Sam Turco (West Hartford) Kyera Sterling (Bristol) Nicole Iacobucci (Newington) Noah Boden (West Hartford) Kyle Shuckerow (Cromwell) Daniel Lockery (Windsor Locks) Louis Tobias (Cromwell) Leon Chandler (Middletown) Rachel Forte (East Hartford) Kelly Morrissey (New Hartford) Janet Tovar (East Hartford) Caleb Macdonald (New Hartford) Nichole DeSousa (East Windsor) James Wang (Rocky Hill) Kara Googins (Glastonbury) Katie Seaver (Rocky Hill) Jay Bhagat (Southington) Sara Miltenebrger (Granby) Kaitlin Klein (Southington) Michael Rodriguez (Hartford) Jonathan Moise (Southington) Darin Herrera (Hartford) Kileigh Nassau (South Windsor) Natalie Rodriguez (Hartford) Emma Richard (South Windsor) Aaron Vontell (Hartford) Brianna Cole (Torrington) Victoria Olakojo (Hartford) Jacob Delventhal (Torrington) Eric O'Connell (Portland) Casey Bucholz (Granby) Jaime LaChance (Winsted) Meghan Kane (Winsted) Keshav Patel (Berlin) Jennifer Hogan (Glastonbury) Rima Parikh (Newington) Alex Pokorski (Southington) Callie Reynolds (West Hartford) Asyria Judd (Hartford Job Corps) Olivia Jenkins (East Hartford) Kaelie Murray (Simmons-East Hartford) Alicia Moran (West Hartford) Timothy O’Donnell (Windsor) Mason Stalph (Wethersfield) Kaziya Watson (Two Rivers Magnet School East Hartford) Brian Chant (Berlin) Alan Guild (Berlin)
Senior Members
Alex Tougas (Wethesfield), Bowdoin Samantha Iacobucci (Newington), UCONN Angela Dunham (Hartford), Dartmouth Robert Hogan (Glastonbury) Saagar Pandit (Windsor) Nicholas Grondin (Newington)
Congressman Larson’s Youth Cabinet consists of two high schools students from every high school in Connecticut’s First Congressional District.
How Seats are Filled
The office of Congressman Larson sends a letter to the Superintendent of a school system whenever a new CYC member is needed to fill a vacancy when a student has finished their term. Please note that all students, regardless of where they are at in their lives, are considered CYC members for life. We emphasize that frequently and in fact, the students who have finished their terms and who may be in out of state colleges, come to CYC meetings when they are in town. In this way the Congressman maintains a connection with each member.
Most often, we find that Superintendents leave the selection of students to the principals or guidance counselors in each respective high school. The decision on how to fill the seat is left entirely up to the discretion of the school system.
Youth Cabinet Student Selection
Because we believe that the CYC must fully represent all youth of the First District, we also ask for a selection of students who are involved in non-traditional school programs, such as those working toward their GED and/or engaged in a job training program.
