Introducing Our 2019–2020 Editorial Board
By Ella Burch
The Progressive Teen Editor-in-Chief
After a lengthy application process, interviews, and careful deliberation, we have finally selected the members of our 2019–2020 Editorial Board! This group of editors reflects the imagination, dedication, and activism TPT aims to emulate. Each member of this team has demonstrated excellence in writing, outstanding achievements, and laudable commitment to building TPT’s platform. I’m proud to announce this year’s section editors!
Ella Burch, Editor-in-Chief
Ella is a senior at Huntsville High School in Huntsville, Alabama and the Communications Director for ALHSD. She founded a political publication in her school and worked with cancer patients through that platform to earn her Girl Scout Gold Award. Before the midterms, she worked as Head Opposition Researcher and Strategist on the Amy Wasyluka for State Senate Campaign, as well as Campaign Aide to the Linda Meigs for State House Campaign. Ella serves on a Desegregation Advisory Committee to her school board and is committed to improving the status of minorities in her community. She plans to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and go on to Law School to get her JD. She is so excited to serve as Editor in Chief for TPT in 2019–2020! You may contact Ella at eburch@hsdems.org.
Ritwik Tati, Features Editor
Ritwik Tati is a junior at Haddon Heights High School in Haddon Heights, NJ. In addition to being the features editor for TPT this year, he serves as the chair for the Camden County High School Democrats and the Southern Regional Coordinator for the New Jersey High School Democrats. He was also recently appointed as a member of the Asian/Pacific Islander Caucus and a representative for the Camden County Democratic Committee. This summer, he led the creative team of the Sunrise Movement in organizing the Philly Climate Strike. He serves as the captain of the varsity cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track teams, and is the student body treasurer. He writes for his school’s newspaper and has been awarded multiple regional and national awards at the Scholastic Writing Awards in the critical essay and poetry categories. In his free time, he likes listening to music, organizing events, and traveling for inspiration.
Neha Mehta, Op-Ed Editor
Neha is a senior at University School of Nashville in Nashville, Tennessee. She serves as the Vice-Chair for the Tennessee High School Democrats. Previously, she has interned for the Tennessee Democratic Party and worked on a US Senate campaign during the recent midterm elections. Additionally, she co-founded and co-hosts a political podcast for young people in hopes of empowering and educating youth activists. She believes in the power of journalism and the press to facilitate real change and reform and is excited to work with The Progressive Teen! In her free time, she loves to spend time with friends, volunteer with her local immigrant and refugee community, listen to music, and travel.
Aidan McGahey, Current Events Editor
Aidan is a senior at St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia, PA, and a founding member of his school’s chapter of the HSDA. Beyond serving as the Current Events Editor at TPT, Aidan engages politically by serving on Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon’s Congressional Youth Cabinet and volunteering locally for Upper Darby Democrats, and nationally for Andrew Yang’s presidential campaign. Aidan is passionate about issues like gentrification, healthcare, and foreign policy.
In addition to writing for TPT, he uses his writing skills as the News Editor for his high school’s nationally recognized student newspaper, The Hawkeye, and as a peer writing advisor in his school’s Writing Lab. He also serves as the Co-President of his school’s Speech and Debate team and President of the Model UN team and has won regional and national recognition in both. In his free time, he enjoys eating excessive amounts of Tex-Mex food, watching foreign films and TV, and hanging out with friends. He hopes to study international relations and journalism in the future.
Sarah Nachimson, Analysis Editor
Sarah Nachimson, in addition to TPT analysis editor, is also the editor of Fresh Ink for Teens, on the student advisory board of LA Times HS Insider, and the communications director for California High School Democrats.
