Name: Kasen Wooters
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Passion: Politics
Forest Hills — At 16, Kasen Wooters is already a seasoned pro when it comes to campaigning.
The Eastern High School junior has worked on two Democratic presidential campaigns, served as a campaign intern for former State Rep. Rachel Hood, and was the campaign manager for seven candidates for various positions in the 2024 Grand Rapids Township Board elections.
“I put 10,000 miles on my car in six months from when I got the car,” Kasen said with a laugh as he talked about campaigning in the 2024 elections. “A lot of driving around the township, so I don’t need my navigation anymore.”
Even in the election off-season, Kasen’s after-school schedule is packed with meetings with Democratic officials and candidates, as well as planning a meeting for the Michigan Department of Education Student Advisory Council, of which he is a member.
“Get involved in clubs and activities, take the first step and actually do stuff.”
— Junior Kasen Wooters
All of his efforts are done with the goal of one day serving as an elected representative himself, he said, explaining that he has a deep commitment to his community and cares about everyone, even those he doesn’t know.
“If I’m in a grocery store, I could end up having a 10-minute conversation with a random stranger over what kind of grapes they got,” he said. “I’m a very social person. I’m friends with everybody.”
How old were you when politics became something you wanted to pursue? “It was seventh grade (at Eastern Middle School) when we were learning about the 2020 election, and I just had a lot of questions to ask and a lot of things I was curious about. … I had to do a lot of research on my own, which led me to becoming a volunteer for the Biden campaign in 2020. I did all that from my bedroom … I was 12, so there wasn’t much that I could go out and do, and my parents didn’t really know about it until I told them, ‘Hey, I started phone banking and text banking.’”
A few related accomplishments: Kasen’s work has given him plenty of opportunities to connect with youth across the state, like helping with voter registration and leading programs on civic engagement.
In 2023, Kasen was elected as the chairman of the Michigan High School Democrats, a youth branch of the Democratic National Committee. “It was at a failing level when I took over and we got it up to, I think, 16 or 17 chapters across the state, which is really difficult because they’re in high schools and it’s hard to get approval and get organized.”
For the past two years, Kasen has been involved with YMCA Michigan Youth in Government, a civics engagement program. Through the program, Kasen has participated in a state legislature simulation in Lansing and successfully passed two bills during the process. He also received the Best Committee Chair award.
Along with being the youngest member of the Kent County Democrats, Kasen is currently running for secretary of the Young Democrats of Michigan, with the election in February. If he should win, he will be the youngest person and the first high school student to sit on the executive board.
He is one of 50 students on the Michigan Department of Education Student Advisory Council, working with state Superintendent Michael F. Rice. Kasen serves on the Green Committee, which helps provide eco-friendly materials to schools.
Kasen also serves on the Forest Hills Student Advisory Council, providing student voice to district initiatives.
Are there teachers who have had a big impact on you as far as pursuing politics? Kasen credits Eastern Middle School teacher Adam McVicker, who sparked his interest in politics, and Eastern High teacher Annie Hebel, who has been a supporter and offered advice when needed.
Another supporter has been journalism instructor Doreen Barnes, he said. “She’s just always there for me, both inside and outside of the classroom … she’s helped me learn key writing skills and she’s helped me with public speaking.”
Do you plan to pursue this professionally? If so, envision yourself in 10 to 20 years from now. Kasen said serving in public office is definitely in his future plans.
“I’ve done all this work now, and I don’t want to just give up on it and not keep pursuing it. … So 20 years from now, I see myself as a representative of West Michigan, of our people. I love this area. I’ve lived in four different states — Connecticut, New Jersey, Texas and here — and I’ve never loved a place so much. There’s so much to offer here. There’s so much good in our community.”
Other hobbies/interests/little-known talents: Kasen enjoys audio engineering; he has helped operate the sound board for various events and public meetings for all three Forest Hills high schools and the district. He also currently serves as the technical director at the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center.
The biggest lesson you have learned from your involvement in politics is: “Definitely get involved; do something. Michelle Obama said that in her speech at the DNC convention: ‘Do something.’ I think that’s important, because if I didn’t go online and research the questions (I had) back in seventh grade, I might not be at the spot that I am today.
“I think taking the first step is huge. If you don’t take the first step, you’re never going to know anything about the path that is in front of you. … Get involved in clubs and activities, take the first step and actually do stuff.”
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