This post was submitted to Manual RedEye by Marshall Gault (10, J&C).

Young Democrats is a student-run club at Manual that meets every Tuesday from 2:30-3:30 p.m. to inform members and other guests about what’s going on locally and globally.

“Young Democrats is really a way to foster and form civic engagement, and we do that through through three parts,” Forest Clevenger (12, HSU), Young Democrats president said.

“The first and most important part is our discussions […] about what’s going on. We talk about the news, we process it. We talk about larger trends and historical events that have happened. [The members] will come into the meeting not knowing much, but we make sure they leave well informed,” Clevenger said.

The second part of Young Democrats’ process to creating civic engagement is hosting talks and events with guest speakers.  

“We have local officials come in and just talk with us. We ask them questions which helps make the discussion feel more real,” Clevenger said.

Young Democrats has had guest politicians such as Representative John Yarmuth, Ronell Brown, a Manual teacher who ran for state house and even the former mayor of Louisville.

“The third part is to getting out there and making a difference,” Clevenger said. “Once you know what’s going on and have talked to people, you need to go out there and make a change. We do this through local activism,” Clevenger said.

“[Since I joined], I started to do political volunteer opportunities and had even more opportunities from the friends I have made through the club,” Marilyn Buente (10, VA) said.

People join the club for a variety of reasons such as to stay up to date, meet new people or to hear what people have to say about hot topic issues.

“I am a part of Young Democrats because I like to get involved and be informed about politics,” Buente said. “It has changed me from someone who called herself a democrat without lots of beliefs and understanding to [someone who could] back that up.”

Although the club is primarily democrat, members of all political parties are welcome to take part in the conversation.

“I joined Young Democrats to know more about local issues that you don’t hear as much about,” Ethan Grebe (10, MST) said. “Since I’ve joined, I feel more involved and educated.”

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