ANDREW LIGHT

STATE CHAIR

Andrew is a senior at Sarasota High School in Sarasota. In 2025, he founded a local chapter at his high school, which he serves as the president of. In 2025, he was appointed to serve as the student representative to the Sarasota County Commission to support low-income housing in his community. He is a community organizer for the non-partisan SEE Alliance, where he works to elect a more equitable Sarasota County school board. Outside of his political advocacy he is a nationally recognized Congressional debater, notably placing 2nd at Nationals in 2026, advancing to the final round of the NSU Sunvitational in 2026, and amassing 5 Tournament of Champion bids in 2025 and 2026. Andrew focuses his organizing on local politics, viewing school boards and county commissions as key to advancing youth advocacy in communities across Florida. In his free time, he loves listening to K-pop, watching RuPaul's Drag Race, and running.

JULIANA BRAGA

VICE CHAIR

Juliana is a junior at Saint John Paul II Academy in Boca Raton. She's been involved with the High School Democrats for 3 years now. She serves as the Social Media Director for the Palm Beach chapter of She's in Office, and as the Legislative Director for the statewide chapter. She interns for Florida Representative Debra Tendrich of District 89, and serves as a campaign fellow for U.S. Representative Lois Frankel. At her school, she heads the DECA team, becoming the first ever ICDC medalist from her school. She also serves as president of the Rotary Interact Club, and heads their Model UN Chapter. In her free time, she loves to watch soccer and F1.

KETAN CHARAN

communications director

Ketan is a junior at Seminole High School in Orlando. He previously served on the High School Democrats of America Gun Violence Prevent Task Force in the spring of 2026. He is the Founder and Executive Director of The Letters of Hope Project, a student-led initiative that connects students with hospital patient card programs. He is also the Founder and Executive Director of the Youth Politics Project, an initiative that aims to increase political awareness and civic literacy among younger audiences. He previously worked as a Digital Outreach Volunteer for Tom Steyer during his campaign for governor of California. Outside of his advocacy, Ketan enjoys playing the drums, traveling, reading books, and playing video games.

Meet the E-Board

Chosen annually by our state members, the Executive Board strives to increase civic engagement and leadership for students throughout Florida.

MARíA JESúS

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Maria is a Senior from Central FL. Politics have been the most important part of her life since her childhood and she is so grateful to serve as this year's development director.

EMMA CHAVANNES

POLITICAL DIRECTOR

Emma is a senior at Coral Reef High School in Miami. She's been a member of the High School Democrats of America for 2 years now. She is the Founder of Nouvo Chemen, a volunteer initiative aimed at addressing educational inequities by connecting student-led action with community needs in Haiti. At school, she competes in Public Forum Debate, writes for her school newspaper, the Baitline, and participates in the National Honor Society, the French Honor Society, the National English Honor Society, the Geography Club, and Model United Nations. She is trilingual, being fluent in English, French, and Spanish. Besides politics, she loves listening to music, watching movies, and reading.