Lauren Gilbert ~ Alexandria, VA
Council of Presidents Chair, JMU College Democrats
presidents_chair@vayd.org
Lauren Gilbert, a native of Alexandria, showed an interest in Democratic politics early by voting for Bill Clinton in mock elementary school elections. Lauren will graduate from James Madison University in May 2010 with a major in Political Science and a minor in Political Communication. In Fall of 2008 she completed a semester-long internship for Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01). Lauren is a graduate of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership College Leaders Program of 2009. She served as Secretary of the JMU Democrats in 2007-2008 and President from 2009-2010. During her tenure as President the JMU Democrats were awarded VAYD Club of the Year, and she was also named Female YD of the Year. Lauren currently serves as Council of Presidents Chair and is looking for a job like every other post-grad in the world.... so let her know if you know of something and she will gladly send you a copy of her resume. Please please please hire her!!!
Amanda Armstrong ~ Norfolk, VA
President, Old Dominion University Young Democrats
odudems@gmail.com
Amanda Armstrong, a Senior Political Science major at Old Dominion, began following politics as a result of the U.S. entrance into Afghanistan, and has since then been an ardent advocate for the environment and women's rights. She has held internships with the 2009 Democratic Coordinated Campaign, the District Congressional office of Hon. Glenn Nye, and the 2010 Virginia General Assembly. In summer 2010, Amanda drove from her Virginia home to Burlington, Vermont, where she took an internship with the Field Department of the people-powered PAC, Democracy for America. Amanda is also involved with ODU's Model UN Society, and the Phi Eta Sigma and Golden Key honor societies.
Corrigan Blanchfield ~ Williamsburg, VA
President, York High School Young Democrats
teen_chair@vayd.org
Corrigan is a resident of Williamsburg, Virginia. He first became interested in politics during the 2004 campaign cycle and has worked on the Obama, McAuliffe, and Krystal Ball campaigns. Corrigan is the president and founder of the Young Democrats club at York High School, from which he will graduate in 2011. In addition, Corrigan serves as Class Chair of the 2009 Sorensen Institute High School Leaders Program. Outside of politics, Corrigan enjoys playing tennis and expanding his musical horizons.
Keyanna Conner ~ Richmond, VA
President, Metro Richmond Area Young Democrats
metrorichmondyd@gmail.com
Keyanna Conner is from the Eastern Shore of Virginia and became active in democratic politics during the 2008 Democratic primaries. She joined the local grassroots organization and became an active leader with Greater Richmond for Obama, chairwoman of VCU Students for Barack Obama, and Vice-President of Metro Richmond Area Young Democrats. During the 2008 general election, she worked closely with the Virginia Deputy State Director and the Political Director from the Obama campaign on special projects, as well as attending the 2008 Democratic National Convention as a page. She was elected in January 2009 as the President of Metro Richmond Area Young Democrats. She graduated from Hampton University in 2006 and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in chemistry at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Meghan Czaikoski ~ Farmville, VA
President, Longwood Young Democrats
college_chair@vayd.org
Meghan Czaikoski is a Criminal Justice major with a minor in Sociology at Longwood University in Farmville, Va. Not until recently has Meghan become truly involved in politics. Due to a series of fortunate or unfortunate events (however one may look at it) Meghan inherited the Presidency of the Longwood Young Democrats her junior year of college. She volunteered to help out campaigns for Dave Marsden and Eileen Filler-Corn in Northern Va, and Shannon Valentine in Lynchburg. She was also nominated as the College Caucus Chair at the 2010 VAYD Convention in Alexandria. Meghan has held a leadership role since her freshman year of college being involved with numerous organizations. She is now the Treasurer of the Academic Criminal Justice Fraternity- Lambda Alpha Epsilon, and a member of the honors Sociology Fraternity- Alpha Kappa Delta. This summer she will be serving as a Common Good Summer Fellow for Tom Perriello.
Katie Deabler ~ Williamsburg, VA
President, William and Mary Young Democrats
southeast_region@vayd.org
Katie Deabler grew up in Stafford, VA and spent much of her adolescence trying to persuade her friends and neighbors to vote for Democrats. She has volunteered for every campaign she could since Senator Jim Webb's successful campaign in 2006, including a stint as an intern for the Virginia Democratic Party's Coordinated Campaign in 2008. For the past two years, Katie has been a student at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA, where she is studying Government and History has been an active member of the William and Mary Young Democrats. This past year, she was Treasurer of the W&M Young Democrats, and she was recently elected President for the 2010-2011 academic year. Katie is pleased to have been elected Chair of the Hampton Roads region for VAYD.
Brittany Morrison ~ Blacksburg, VA
President, New River Valley Young Democrats
Brittany was born in New Jersey but grew up in Lexington, Virginia. Her democratic tendencies first emerged in elementary school when she voted for Bill Clinton in the mock elections. Brittany graduated from Virginia Tech in 2007 with a B.S. in Sociology, Crime and Deviance concentration, and Psychology minor. While in college, she served as a Senator for the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, a member of VTU, PR Chair for the Sociology Club, Treasurer of YDVT, and a volunteer/intern for a Crisis Hotline. Brittany volunteered on many campaigns during college, but her most memorable experience was interning for David Cox for Delegate where she chaired the College Student Outreach Committee. Brittany previously served as the VAYD Southwest Region Chair and VP Finance and is now in her second term as National Committeewoman. She manages a volunteer Crisis Hotline for a living and serves as the President of the New River Valley Young Democrats.
Kimberly Parker ~ Staunton, VA
President, Mary Baldwin College Democrats
parkerkl7072@mbc.edu
Kimberly Parker is a senior Political Science Major with minors in Economics and Peacemaking & Conflict Resolution at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton,VA. She has been the president of the MBC for the past year and will be returning as president. In 2009 she was an intern for Organizing for America and worked with the Deeds for Governor and Curren for Delegate campaigns. She is currently serving as VAYD's Women's Caucus Vice-Chair and the College Democrats of America Women's Caucus Virginia State Rep. Ouside of politics she enjoys cupcakes, volunteering for non-profits and watching the food network.
Gordon Simonett ~ Arlington, VA
President, Arlington Young Democrats
president@arlingtonyoungdems.org
Born in Trinidad, West Indies, Gordon moved to Michigan at the age of 8 and quickly learned what cold weather was all about. Gordon graduated from American University in 2004, earning his BA in Government. While at AU, Gordon was elected Treasurer of the AU College Democrats, and served as Speaker of the AU Student General Assembly. Following graduation, Gordon worked as a Legislative Assistant to DC Shadow Senator Paul Strauss. Gordon also was an active member of his local Young Democrat chapter in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he served as Treasurer; in 2006, he was awarded the chapter’s Young Democrat of the Year award. Gordon has been a member of the Arlington Young Democrats (AYD) since December 2007, and served as Deputy Membership Director, and Membership Director before being elected President of AYD in December, 2009. In 2009, Gordon also served as campaign manager for Del. Adam Ebbin during his successful re-election campaign.
