LIVINGSTON, NJ – The New Jersey High School Democrats (NJHSD), College Democrats of New Jersey (CDNJ), and New Jersey Young Democrats (NJYD) will hold their first joint convention on February 13 at Princeton University Frist Campus Center. The convention aims to provide networking and educational opportunities to students, and will highlight the efforts and growth of the three Democratic youth organizations in the lead-up to the presidential election in November.

The convention, titled “Preparing to Lead,” will bring together more than 100 high school and college students and is expected to be New Jersey’s  largest gathering of Democratic student activists in recent memory. Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) will serve as keynote speaker, and will be joined by a variety of young political leaders, including Assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera (D-4), Camden County Freeholder Bill Moen, Dumont Councilman Louis Di Paolo, and activists Pamela Razo and Giancarlo Tello.

Programming will include a panel discussion on breaking into the political world, as well as an interactive organizing session centered among the power of students.

Kelly Stewart Maer, an organizer for Hillary for America, and Assemblyman John Wisniewski, the New Jersey chair of Senator Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign, will join the convention during the opportunity fair. A variety of campaigns, political organizations and advocacy groups will participate in the opportunity fair.

“We have an amazing group of youth leaders to hear from and a great program ahead for our fellow Democrats,” said Sam Fogelgaren, the president CDNJ. “It took over a year of planning and discussion to get this point, and we’re finally here.”

Aylon Berger, the Chairman of NJHSD, added: “This convention demonstrates the deep ties our three organizations have developed and serves to strengthen our commitment to get more students involved in electing Democrats across the board this election year.”

“Our participants will come from all walks of life and from every corner of New Jersey,” said NJYD president Marshall Spevak. “We hope that we will be able to continue to energize the next generation of political leaders.”

The College Democrats of New Jersey is the state federation of the College Democrats of America, the official student arm of the Democratic Party. College Democrats are represented at 10 New Jersey colleges & universities including Ramapo College, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, and Seton Hall University.

The New Jersey High School Democrats is a state chapter of High School Democrats of America (HSDA), a national, youth-based organization dedicated to increasing high school involvement in Democratic politics. Since NJHSD’s founding last year, it has grown to include a presence in nearly fifteen high schools across nine NJ counties. The New Jersey High School Democrats continually work to engage students in Democratic Politics and are proving that teens deserve a seat at the table.

The New Jersey Young Democrats are chartered with the Young Democrats of America and are the youth arm of New Jersey Democrats. From ages 14-36, their members are making a difference at all levels of government. From grassroots activists, to political operatives, to elected officials, the NJ Young Dems are working to effect progressive change in the great State of New Jersey.

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