"Young people encouraging and promoting engaged future voters in Arizona communities."
Nicole Mercado
Chairperson
"I'm Nicole Mercado, this year's chairperson for the KVLC. I'm a Mountain View High School senior and joined the KVLC last year. This is my second term in the KVLC, and I have enjoyed my time tremendously. I am very passionate about educating the public on their civic duty. I'm excited to contribute the skills I have acquired to this amazing organization to make a meaningful impact in my community."
Marjorie-Rose Coppola
Vice Chair
Marjorie-Rose is sitting for her second term on the KVAZ Leadership Council, this year as Vice Chairwoman. She is incredibly grateful for this opportunity, and is excited to spread awareness on voting access and voter education. As a senior in high school at the New School for the Arts & Academics, she hopes to continue her voter activism well into her college years.
Jax Jensen Rogers
Recording Secretary
Jax Jensen Rogers is a junior in high school. He has been granted the position of the secretary at the monthly state meetings. As a young person Jax has had many civic related opportunities and experiences.
Keeley Fallstrom
Council Member
Keeley is 11 years old and joined the Kids Voting program to learn about the government. "My interest in Government is due to the fact that as an adult we will need to understand it in order to make sure that we are active members of our society." This is Keeley's second year in the state KVLC, and she is excited to get her school-based KVLC off the ground.
Amir Gidado
Council Member
Amir is 12 years old and a gifted student at a public school in the West Valley. "I am very curious and love to learn. When I got the opportunity to participate in Kids Voting, I knew that I would have a chance to have real world experiences to learn about my government, and that was exciting." This is Amir's second year in the state KVLC, and he is excited to get his school-based KVLC off the ground.
Max Akbari
Council Member
"My name is Max Akbari. I am a Junior at Red Mountain High School and a Kids Voting Leadership Council representative. I joined KVLC to improve upon my leadership qualities and take on a higher responsibility. I like to spend time outside and I like to participate in FFA events. I am going into my second year of raising chickens. I am currently learning about aviation and taking an interest in aerospace. I intend on eventually becoming a commercial pilot."
Elena Cauthen
Council Member
"My name is Elena Cauthen and I’m in 10th grade at Red Mountain High School in Mesa. I joined the Kids Voting Leadership Council because I care about the future of politics and want to expand my knowledge. I also see it as a good opportunity for students who are close to being a voter. I’m very involved in music at school, but also academics."
Ariza Montez
Council Member
"My name is Ariza Montez. I am a 7th grader and the reason I joined Kids Voting is because I want to learn how to speak up in front of a group of people and I also want to learn about voting so when I’m older I have an idea of how it works. I have been in many sports such as basketball, softball, volleyball, soccer, and boxing. I have also been in Mesa club, Kids Voting Leadership Council, Student Council, and Youth and government. I am the second youngest in my family I have 3 siblings who are 9, 20, and 23 years old."
Elena Estrada
Council Member
"My name is Elena Estrada, I am in 8th grade. I have been in many programs such as, Youth And Government, We The People, The Kids Voting Leadership Council and Student Council and two after school clubs such as Stem and Garden club. I have also been in three sports in school such as volleyball, soccer, and softball. I am the youngest in my family and the most adventurous out of my two siblings. The reason I joined Kids Voting is because I really wanted to learn more about the importance of voting and wanted to know more about my community. I have always been interested in politics but never really knew where to start. After joining many programs in school I finally had an idea of political life, and so when I first heard of kids voting I jumped at the opportunity eager to learn more on why voting is important and how it impacts our everyday life."
Benjamin Corella
Council Member
"I chose to join the council because I wanted to learn and share with others the significance of participating in civil activities, particularly in a community like mine, the small border town of Nogales, Arizona. My goal is to help young individuals understand that their votes can make a difference in our country and that their voices truly matter. As an 8th grader, I hope to set an example in my school community, demonstrating how to be a leader and a role model for others."