Meet the Candidates

By Jasmin Asad

• Noelle Eubanks
• Noelle Eubanks is a junior from Great Crossing High School running for presiding officer. The three platforms Noelle’s passionate about are environmental reform, education equity, and recovering rural communities. She loves swimming, nature, and frogs. A message she has for KYA, “Even though we are virtual, I’d still love to have a conversation with everyone I can, so feel free to reach out if you want to talk!”
• Andrew Kelmanson
• Andrew Kelmanson is a student at duPont Manual High School running for presiding officer. “I absolutely CAN’T believe we’ve already made it to KYA season, but I couldn’t be more excited to see all the wonderful things you guys do! My platforms, the DEW, are Decriminalisation of Marijuana, Entrepreneurship, and WiFi Modernisation. I was born in South Africa, I speak multiple languages, I’ve been doing KYA since 7th grade, and of course, I love meeting you all! Check out my Instagram page (@andrewk4gov), and I can’t WAIT to hear all of you at debate!!”
• Sadie Townsend
• Sadie was a Bluegrass presiding officer last year and has attended 11 Y-conferences, so she has been very familiar with the Y. She is running for presiding officer at KYA this year, and her platforms are higher education reciprocity, equitable technology access, and immigration support. A fun fact about Sadie is that she was born in NYC.
• Leo Gogol
• Leo Gogol is running for is passionate about forensics, internet access, and mountaintop mining. An interesting fact about him is that he loves cats, coffee, and KYA. Leo would like everyone to know,”I love this conference and that I’m here for everyone, not just myself. I want to be a helping hand to anyone who needs it.”
• Arushi Bansal
• Arushi Bansal attends Sayre High School and is running for Bluegrass Presiding Officer. Her platforms include COVID-19 impact on children’s education, substance abuse, and child abuse and neglect. She’s involved in musical theater, plays the piano and the violin, and has been dancing since she was 18 months old, so she’s very confident onstage and in front of large audiences. She’s also been a part of student council for 5 years, and her passion for student government could not be greater! She wants people from KYA to understand that she takes advantage of every opportunity at her school to become more involved!
• James Gunasar
• James Gunasar is a candidate running for presiding officer from Sayre High School. His platforms are legalizing casinos, providing aid and relief to communities riddled by the destruction of the coal industry, and mental health. Here is a quote from James, “Hey everyone! Crazy that we made it right? Virtual KYA, who would’ve ever thought? Anyway, just some more quick facts about the Turkish Delight. I was born in Lexington, I’ve been doing KYA since sixth grade and have attended 10 Y conferences, I play football, I can eat..a lot, and I absolutely love Kentucky, but believe that my ideas can make it truly take flight. So make sure to vote the Turkish Delight!”
• Alli Nichols
• Alli Nichols goes to Holy Cross High School, and is a candidate for presiding officer. She is excited to talk about these platforms: awareness of sexual assault, human rights, and reduction of animal abuse. She is a captain on the varsity academic team and plays basketball. Alli also loves the show, Friends, and wants you to know, “I’ll be there for you!”
• Abby Johnson
• Abby Johnson is a junior from Villa Madonna Academy running for presiding officer, and is extremely thrilled to talk about climate action, human rights and equality, and the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana. Abby wants everyone to know, “Through these challenging times, we are all in this together!”
• Amie Boakye
• Amie is a Commonwealth candidate for presiding officer from Sacred Heart Academy. Her platforms include foster care, human trafficking, and redlining. Outside of the Y, she cheers, runs tracks, and does debate.
• Anika Lickert
• Anika Lickert is excited to run for KYA presiding officer. She goes to Covington Latin, and her platforms are access for people with disabilities, victim support, and education reform. Some of her hobbies include sewing, and she’s super thrilled to meet everyone and wants to talk more to the people she hasn’t met already!
• Annie Dauk
• Annie Dauk is a Bluegrass candidate running for KYA presiding officer. “Hello everyone! My name is Annie Dauk, I go to duPont manual, and I am so excited to have the opportunity to serve you this year! My platforms are the repealment of the gay panic defense, cessation of climate change, and an effort to broaden self love. A fun fact about me is that I am Miss My Old Kentucky Home outstanding teen, where I get to serve the community, do interviews, and publicly speak. But just remember, KYA is gonna rock, if you vote for Annie Dauk!”
• Leah Smith
• Leah Smith goes to Model Lab High School, and is a Commonwealth Candidate for presiding officer. Her platforms she’s passionate about are voter registration, virtual education assistance, and youth public health. Some of her hobbies include archery, which she has been doing for the past 7 years. A fun fact about Leah is that she has never had pizza!