As a 16-year-old, lifelong homeschooled student, I am involved in many activities, including drama, debate, and music. One activity that has had a huge impact on my life is TARS—Teen Age Republicans.

Since a young age I have had a passion for people, our country, and public policy issues. Several years ago, I attended a week-long state government class called TeenPact. TeenPact helped me to look at issues critically and to consider the role of government. It also taught me effective methods to impact state government.

After TeenPact, I was really excited about all I had learned but thought, “Now that I have all this information and this passion, what am I going to do with it?” I called my friends Corey Frith and Rachel Andrewson, and we decided to meet at the library to discuss the possibility of starting a group for conservative teens.

The day before our meeting, I was helping with a voter registration drive where I met Arizona’s State TAR Advisor, Lois Fitch, and members of several TARS from local high schools. They told me all about TARS and encouraged me to start a group for homeschoolers. I mentioned TARS to Rachel and Corey the next day, and they loved the idea!

We quickly recruited our advisor, former homeschool mom and local political activist Nancy Shippy, and called our friends to have the first meeting of “Home STARS,” the Homeschool Teenage Republicans.

Our club is officially named East Valley Homeschooled TARS, but is known locally as East Valley Home STARS. Our advisor is Nancy Shippy, and the other club officers are Breana Lee, Rachael Andrewson, Jeremy Emery, Kristin Sandoval, Tricia Herber, Stephanie Monk, and Alleigh Knapp.

East Valley is made up of Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, and Gilbert, and we draw from these areas. We are an active and enthusiastic group and feel we are definitely making our mark in Republican circles!

During the national elections, voter registration was our top priority, and manning phone banks was a close second! Every week—for 15 weeks—our club members made thousands of phone calls. We registered 67 voters personally and probably many more from our efforts.

East Valley Home STARS also sponsored a successful “Meet the Candidates” coffee and hosted “Parties for the President” during the first and second Presidential debates! The last debate was held at Arizona State University, and thousands of Bush supporters gathered at the Bank One Ball Park to watch it. In appreciation for the work our homeschoolers had done, we were given VIP seats in the front section with a great view of the President, Mrs. Bush, Jenna, and Barbara when they came out to greet the crowd!

Being involved in the 2004 campaign was such an incredible experience, and all of us will never forget attending the Vice President’s speech in Tucson and hearing the President himself when he appeared at the Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix. The most amazing thing is that three of us were even able to shake the President’s and Vice President’s hand!

The Arizona Victory Party on Election Night was a great event, and a large group of East Valley Home STARS came early to help decorate the Hyatt Hotel. On Inauguration Day, our club held another “Party for the President” to celebrate!

Like the “Energizer bunny,” our Club keeps going and going. Recently we helped a former Teen Age Republican, Onnie Shekerjian, with her race for Tempe City Council. After a runoff, she successfully won the seat on the council! Our TAR members made hundreds of calls, walked neighborhoods, and worked at the polls on Election Day. It was especially rewarding for us to see a former TAR elected to office!

We pride ourselves in being a wellrounded club. We hosted a one-day Leadership Conference for our members, and topics covered were fund-raising, event planning, and grassroots campaigning. In addition, we broke into smaller groups and received practical training on taking minutes, writing agendas, bookkeeping, and running successful meetings.

We attended the Arizona TAR Convention and met TARS from across the state. Everyone went to the capitol and watched the State Senate and House of Representatives in session. The next day, new state TAR officers were selected, and I was elected State Treasurer. Another club member, Breana Lee, was elected State Corresponding Secretary. Breana also won the public speaking contest, which was a tremendous honor! At the talent show, club members Rachael Andrewson, Hannah Greenwood, and Kasha Oplinger donned Western attire and performed a musical called “Buffalo Gals.” It was followed by a moving rendition of the song “Amazing Grace.”

Over the holidays, East Valley Teen Age Republicans sponsored “Operation Christmas Child.” We filled seven shoeboxes with items for underprivileged children from around the world. Our members donated school supplies, hygiene items, and toys. Postage costs came out of the club treasury. In addition, we have had a scrapbook party, club elections, a St. Patrick’s Day party, and a mock debate on important issues.

A major project is continually updating our TAR Display Board, which has pictures and information about Teen Age Republicans. This board is displayed each year at the State Capitol during Arizona’s “Homeschool Days” and is viewed by hundreds of parents and homeschoolers in attendance. Our club also sponsors a booth at the state homeschool convention, where we pass out information about TARS and register high school seniors.

Locally, we always attend homeschool group meetings and encourage teens to join our club. Voter registration is always on our mind, and we register everyone we can!

There is no doubt, being involved in Teen Age Republicans is a wonderful opportunity to get a hands-on education about civics and the political process. Meeting and discussing current issues with party leaders and elected officials, touring the state capitol, and working on a political campaign give teens a much better—and more interesting—overview of government than any textbook could ever provide!

TARS gives homeschooled teens the opportunity to build their leadership skills, become more confident in public speaking, and cultivate friendships that will last a lifetime. I would strongly encourage fellow homeschoolers and parents to consider organizing a Teen Age Republican Club in your area. National TAR Headquarters will provide you with a Resource Packet free of charge. All you have to do is go online at www.TeenAgeRepublicans.org to order your free startup packet.

TARS continues to open doors for me. Being active in politics is an incredible and worthwhile experience, and I encourage everyone to become involved!

Andrew Flavin is a 16 year-old homeschool student from Gilbert, Arizona, and is the oldest of four children. He is currently working as an intern for the Arizona Republican Party and serves as the chairman of the East Valley Homeschool Teen Age Republicans.

National Teenage Republican Headquarters
703-368-4214
www.teenagerepublicans.org
PO Box 1896
Manassas, VA 28109