Youth political involvement is on the rise with the 2024 United States Presidential Election soon approaching and junior Eduardo José-Castro forefronts this assertion locally with his commitment to politics.

José-Castro’s devotion to politics can be seen through his work with Vivek Ramaswamy’s presidential campaign: As a phone banker for the Republican nominee’s presidential campaign, José-Castro connects directly with South Florida residents and actively promotes Ramaswamy’s campaign.

“Although [it’s] a lot of work, phone banking for Vivek is a great position to have under my belt and a solid opportunity to talk to new people with diverse political beliefs,” José-Castro said. 

Through his many conversations with voters, José-Castro continues to gain insights to issues that matter most to them, contributing to a better understanding of the electorate’s concerns and policies.

“Learning from distinct perspectives helps me formulate my own understanding of political affairs, which is especially important as I will be old enough to vote for the [2024 presidential] election,” José-Castro said.

José-Castro was drawn to politics in middle school, and now emphasizes the importance of current global affairs to his peers through his involvement in the Politico Society club as deputy director. As deputy director, José-Castro manages logistics for the initiatives planned and directs the workload that each member must fulfill in order to be a part of the club. 

“He is never scared to speak his mind and always provides backed-up arguments towards prevalent topics that the club addresses,” senior and Politico Society President Mateo Lowe explained.

Recently, José-Castro — alongside the leaders of the Politico Society — helped organize Mayor of Miami Frances Suarez’s visit to the Student Union on Nov. 18 for a fireside chat. 

“I feel that Suarez’s visit expanded the importance of politics within the school,” José-Castro explained. “The conversation itself was insightful because of the many reforms he wanted to integrate in the city of Miami such as infrastructure development and traffic regulations.”

José-Castro’s commitment to the world of global affairs is further exemplified by his active participation in Model United Nations (Model UN). José-Castro’s involvement in Model UN allows him to delve into simulated diplomatic scenarios, honing his negotiation and diplomacy skills. Through Model UN, José-Castro not only broadens his understanding of global issues, but also fosters connections with like-minded peers who share a passion for international affairs. His engagement in various political arenas positions him as a well-rounded and informed advocate for political discourse, contributing meaningfully to both local and global conversations.

“The connections I’ve built through Model UN and the Politico Society made me realize that I’m not the only kid in my generation who’s passionate about Global Politics, ” José-Castro said. “I look forward to building upon the relationships I’ve made in this field, especially with the possibility that some of us will be employed in a political role in the future.”

José-Castro’s ability to bridge diverse perspectives, as demonstrated through debates and collaborations, exemplifies the importance of dialogue in order to mold an open-eyed view of the world. As he navigates many aspects of the political landscape, José-Castro not only prepares himself for future civic obligations, but also significantly contributes to molding the discourse around local and global concerns.

“I believe my journey thus far proves that anyone can have an impact on the political world, no matter how old they are or where they come from,” José-Castro emphasized.