2021-2022 Forge Mentorship Academy Class

15

10

5

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Policy

Business

Law

Media/Arts Sciences

Danny is a Michigan native who currently resides in a suburb of the greater MetroDetroit area. Having worked in the digital marketing & multimedia industries, Danny has worked with both national brands as well as local startups in various marketing roles.

Currently Danny is on the executive board of the Macomb County GOP and has been a campaign manager for both state wide and local campaigns for various candidates.

Danny’s education from the University of Detroit Mercy includes a Bachelors in Business Administration, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Masters in I/O Psychology and Masters in Financial Economics.

Joshua Beauchamp has an Associate's Degree in Business Administration from Tyler Junior College and is Currently Interning at Church Eleven32 in Allen, Texas. He will be returning to school in the fall of 2022. Joshua is passionate about taking the biblical worldview and applying it to the political square through policy advocation and activism.

A native of Minnesota, Natasha graduated from the University of Northwestern-St. Paul with her bachelors in communications in 2020. While at Northwestern, Natasha was involved in many extracurricular activities including UNW’s Honors program, participating as a mentor for dual-enrollment students, and serving as Vice President of Student Government. Natasha's career plans include working in policy research or media relations at the national or state level. In her free time, Natasha enjoys reading, finding the best coffee shops, and playing spikeball.

Alisa Ciotola is a graduate of The Ohio State University in business administration with a specialization in marketing. Alisa is family and friend oriented and loves spending time with them. Alisa is an avid Ohio State football fan and watches the games every Saturday she can. She loves traveling, trying new restaurants, and food. Alisa's interests include: business, politics, and history. She enjoys reading books and articles on these topics as well as getting recommendations sent her way.

Marcos De Faria was born in Brazil and moved to the U.S. in 2019 to study for college.

He is currently a Junior at Augustana University, and is a Political Science and History Major. Marcos wants to go to Law school and either become a lobbyist or a lawyer. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, and other fun outdoor activities.

Xin Xin Drees is currently attending Southwest Tennessee Community College to receive an Associate's degree in Culinary Arts. Xin Xin enjoyed competing in NCFCA speech and debate throughout her entire academic career and volunteers a helping hand as a student leader in her local speech and debate club. She looks forward to what the rest of the year will bring, the friendships to come from Forge, and the new opportunities that will open.

Dylan George is interested in the intersection between politics and data. Particularly, his passions include modeling, probability, elections, and polling. He would love to do data analysis for a firm that believes in and advocates for conservative principles. He would prefer to do work in a field relating to electoral politics, or other data-related positions.

Nickolas Gonzalez is a Miami native and a two-time graduate from Florida International University (FIU) with a Bachelor’s in Political Science and a Master’s in Global Affairs.

Niko is currently interning with The Heritage Foundation’s Governmental Relations department and intends to pursue a career in foreign policy/foreign affairs, intelligence, or government relations. During his free time, Niko enjoys learning about history and philosophy, working out, and watching sports.

Katie Gooding is a sophomore at Liberty University studying Government: Politics and Policy with a minor in pre-law. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to pursue a Master of Arts in Public Policy or attend law school. After Katie began getting involved in politics in 2018, she has become passionate about various political topics including anti-human trafficking legislation, pro-life policy, and religious liberty activism. In her free time, she is involved with the Standing for Freedom Center, Stop the Demand Project, College Republicans, Students for Life, and a biblical worldview organization called Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Truth.

Parker Graff is a native of northern Kentucky. Parker is graduating from the University of Cincinnati with his B.S. in fall 2021 in computer engineering and minors in computer science and mathematics. He is involved with The Navigators as a student leader and Crossroads Uptown in their college ministry. Some of his interests include 3D printing, reading (recently CS Lewis), ultimate frisbee, and hiking. In the spring 2022 term he will graduate with his M.S. in computer engineering. Afterward, he will be working at WPAFB for the Department of Defense.

Kyle Hermann is a graduate student and young elected official in Southern California. He is passionate about ministry, education, and government. Kyle hopes to use his career path to benefit the lives of others and truly make this world a better place.

Abby Hightchew is currently studying Law at a private university in Northern Kentucky.

Her passions include protecting the rights of others, especially on a Constitutional level.

Abby hopes to one day become a Constitutional attorney and eventually a state justice.

She loves talking about politics, law, and rights.

Aizess, a native New Yorker, graduated from The King’s College in 2019 with a degree in Media, Culture, and the Arts and a minor in History. Since 2018, she has interned and volunteered with non-profits focused on helping vulnerable children such as unborn babies, orphans, and foster youth. While she continues to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to better serve vulnerable children, she is privileged to pour back into her alma mater. She currently works as the Financial Aid Associate helping guide students and parents through the financial aid process. She loves learning about all things WWII, reading, and meeting new people.

David Korn is currently a 1L law student at Arizona State University Law. After he graduates, David wants to pursue corporate law and constitutional litigation. David's undergraduate was in Government: Politics and Policy at Liberty University. Born and raised in Flagstaff, AZ, he enjoys all the typical mountain town activities like hiking, kayaking, and running.

Ethan Lamoreaux currently lives just north of Cincinnati, Ohio in a town called Lebanon.

He is a sophomore at Hillsdale College and punts for the Hillsdale Chargers football team. Ethan is currently studying marketing with the hope to potentially own or start his own business in the field of sales.

Catherine is a second-year master’s student at Liberty University studying public policy, Middle East studies, and national security. From Virginia Beach, she grew up near a NATO base and became passionate about foreign affairs through Model U.N. and her friendships with other NATO kids. Her areas of focus are North Africa, Western Europe, and NATO affairs.

Daniel Laucik is a Junior at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Florham. He is majoring in Government & Law with minors in Pre-Law, Philosophy, Business Administration, and Economics. Daniel is currently the sitting VP of Financial Affairs for the Student Government Association, the SGA Liaison for Mock Trial, and the Founder/President of FDU’s Young Americans for Liberty chapter.

From her hometown in Leo, Indianna, Hope Liechty is a student of Trine University, obtaining an Associate degree in General Studies with concentrations in Communication and Business. She will earn her degree upon completion of her third semester in December 2021. Hope works as a teller at First Merchants Bank. A year in consumer banking has strengthened her customer service abilities, teaching her to handle customers’ financial needs with courtesy and professionalism. Hope appreciates trying new things and being outdoors. She’s motivated to encourage others to seek truth and strive for their highest potential.

Samuel (Sam) Mangold-Lenett is a student at the NKU Salmon P. Chase College of Law. His writing has been featured in the Daily Wire, The Federalist, The American Spectator, and other outlets. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Cincinnati Republic. Sam manages a 501(c)(3) foundation dedicated to supporting pediatric cancer research initiatives.

Maddelyn Martin is currently attending Malone University in Canton, where she is majoring in English. Maddelyn wants to be able to advocate for foster care for a living, and believes English can help her do this. She is passionate about foster care and informing others about foster care because of her family's experience fosterering.

Matthew McGillivary was born and raised in Troy, OH. He is currently in his final year at Bowling Green State University in pursuit to graduate with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. Mathew is very passionate about his Faith and this country.

Looking ahead in the next season of life, he is excited to find out what part he will play in furthering the Kingdom of God.

Andrew Miranda is passionate about serving others and hopes to use this in the future through business and politics. In addition, Andrew also plays for his college baseball team in Mishawaka, Indianna. Outside of serving and baseball, he enjoys music, fishing, and spending time with friends and family.

Nick Novotny is a first year law student at the University of Cincinnati. Born and raised in central Ohio, Nick has a history of working in professional office spaces and activism in politics. He is a recent graduate of Ashland University and the Ashbrook Scholar Program. In his free time, Nick enjoys camping, canoeing, visiting with friends and family, and reading the speeches and writings of America’s greatest son, Abraham Lincoln. Nick is very excited about joining the Academy and looks forward to all that lies ahead.

Sabrina Leeloo Rosell is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Global Affairs at Florida International University where she also received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and graduated Summa Cum Laude with the Honors College. She currently works at FIU in the Office of Governmental Relations as the Governmental Relations Coordinator. Sabrina previously served as the MMC Student Body President and University trustee for two years. In this capacity, she, alongside the executive leadership, was responsible for the allocation of a $20 million budget for the enhancement of the overall collegiate experience.

Peter Schwarck is from Granbury, Texas, where he has lived the majority of his life.

Peter is a sophomore at Taylor University in Indiana majoring in politics and law. He is participating in the Forge Mentorship Academy because he enjoys political discourse and shares many beliefs with the Forge leadership team. Peter enjoys debate and has debated on his high school team as well as his college debate team.

Noah Sedmak is a Senior at Grove City College and is studying political science and law.

This past summer, Noah worked as an intern on Glenn Youngkin’s campaign for governor in the state of Virginia. After graduation he hopes to work on Capitol Hill or work for a conservative think tank in Washington D.C. Noah is interested in public policy, the U.S. Constitution, and cultural issues -- specifically, economic policy, the first amendment, and abortion. Noah is also on the baseball team at Grove City and enjoys doing things outdoors.

Grace Sellers is a 2020 Homeschool Graduate, resident of Southern Indiana, and the oldest of her ten siblings. During high school, Grace participated in Cross Country as well as two years of Speech and Debate with the NCFCA. She is currently a part of a local group of grassroots patriots and serves as head of the Elections and Campaigning committee. She likes animals, strategizing, fall weather, and is a connoisseur of leather boots and shoes. Some of her other particular interests are politics, natural medicine, music and theology. Currently Grace is also going to receive her massage therapist license and desires to gain specialized knowledge in Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy with Reflexologist expertise and licensing on top of that.

Cody Connenberg is a junior at Taylor University majoring in Political Science, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE), and Biblical Literature. In addition, Cody also competes on Taylor’s cross country and track teams. He is from Holgate, Ohio and has lived on a farm his whole life. Cody's hobbies include reading, learning, running, watching all kinds of sports, and having deep theological and political conversations with others.

Caleb Uhler is from Dayton, Ohio. Caleb is a psychology student at Cedarville University hoping to go into the law enforcement profession. His dad has been a commissioned Air Force officer for about twenty-two years. He has lived in three different states, including Ohio, as well as in Germany.

Luca Vitale is a Freshman in college from central Ohio. Luca grew up around business and politics his whole life because of his family business and his father who is a State Representative. Luca loves music, sports, the outdoors, and reading.

Cooper Walsh is a junior at Saint Anselm’s college doing a double major in criminal justice and cyber criminology. After college Cooper plans to go to law school and pursue a career in either criminal or business law. At college, Cooper spends a majority of his time doing extracurriculars such as student government and canvassing for political candidates. His dream is to one day go into politics as a congressman and believes that Forge is the very first step needed to be taken in order to accomplish his dreams.

Isaac Winnes is a junior at Patrick Henry College majoring in Government with a focus in Strategic Intelligence. At school, Isaac is involved with the civic debate and moot court teams, the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, Model United Nations, and The Intelligencer, an undergraduate publication on international politics. Prior to transferring to Patrick Henry, Isaac attended Bethlehem College, a Bible school. Isaac has interned/worked for the Minnesota Legislature, a Minnesota based public policy think-tank, and in luxury jewelry sales. In his spare time, Isaac loves spending quality time with his family and friends, reading, hiking, and cycling.

ANNA YOUNG Anna Young is a Nashville, Tennessee native and is currently a freshman at Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, Wisconsin. She is a part of Concordia's Business Scholars Program, pursuing both marketing and public administration. Anna's passion lies within the pro-life movement and politics, advocating for and giving a voice to preborn babies in the public sphere. She loves to speak in public, and her most recent accomplishment was receiving first place at the National Right to Life Oratory Contest.

She strives to give glory to Christ Jesus in everything she does.

STEPHEN HARLESS Stephen is a student of political science and a follower of Christ. He is single minded but still values having an open mind about his purpose and career. Stephen is a traditional conservative and is passionate about correct constitutional interpretation.

Stephen loves to experience other cultures, music, and is a fan of European football (soccer). As the a middle child of five, Stephen prides himself in his mediatory skills.

The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.” ― G.K. Chesterton