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Ben Parsons named Sussex Young Republican of the Year

June 16, 2022

The Delaware Republican Party recently named Ben Parsons Young Republican of the Year for Sussex County.

At age 15, Parsons is the youngest person in the state to have received this award.

Parsons was instrumental in founding the Sussex Teenage Republicans.

Parsons was born a Republican; one of the first toys he asked for when he could speak was a stuffed Republican GOP elephant.

In 2019, Parsons looked into joining the Delaware Young Republicans, but he did not meet the age requirement. In his continuing search, Parsons was referred to 38th District Republican Chair Marilyn Booker, who was also looking to establish a local teenage Republican group. Helping to lay the foundation for the group, Parsons joined Sussex Teenage Republicans and became its first vice chair at the age of 13.

In a recruitment campaign, Parsons found interest from many of his friends and classmates, so much so that the age limit for the teenage Republican group was lowered to 12, with 11-year-olds allowed to attend as they await their 12th birthdays. He was even successful in recruiting his mother from the independent party to the GOP.

He has gone on to chair the Sussex Teenage Republicans and has led the club in many endeavors such as Trump boat parades, and several police and LEO appreciation events throughout Sussex County. Volunteering on Election Day at the 38th district polling place, he provided information and assisted elderly voters. Parsons also arranged to promote STARS in the Sea Witch Parade. He organized tours to places such as Fort Delaware and even Mount Rushmore in South Dakota.

Parsons is currently participating in a course on the Delaware State Constitution with the STARS; he plans to instruct the course himself next and share his experiences with the club at Indian River High School, which he will attend in the fall.

Parsons is currently coordinating efforts with New Jersey teen Republicans to form a nationwide federation of teen and high school Republican groups. He is leading an effort to form the Delaware State Teenage Republicans to help other localities form their own STARS.

He has also been recognized by the Daughters of the American Revolution for his essay on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and is now applying to join the Delaware Sons of the American Revolution through his patriot ancestors who trace their roots to Williamsburg and Jamestown in Virginia.

 

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