.png)
Meet Daniel Helmer
President and Founder of Take Your Stand
Daniel "Danny" Helmer is the President and Founder of Take Your Stand. He works to pursue the mission of the organization: fostering debates among politicians around the world and guiding youth toward a political future.
Helmer is a supporter of helping young aspiring politicians run for offices. He has over 30,000 subscribers on YouTube, where he covers history and politics in an entertaining and educational way for Gen Z.
Helmer is currently attending Rock Valley College (RVC), pursuing an Associate of Arts degree, and plans to transfer to major in Political Science.
Helmer established Take Your Stand in October 2025 and currently serves as its President.
Meet Lucas Moore
Vice President of Take Your Stand
Lucas Moore was born in Citrus Heights, California, and has long been passionate about history and politics.
As Vice President of Take Your Stand, he helps plan and prepare events, workshops, and educational programs. He works with youth to encourage civic engagement, develop leadership skills, and inspire active participation in local and national political processes. He also contributes to initiatives aimed at expanding the organization’s reach and impact across the country.
Moore brings deep knowledge, strategic thinking, and a strong dedication to fostering civic responsibility among young people. His commitment to empowering the next generation of informed and engaged citizens will be a driving force as the organization grows.
Meet Lucas Preston
Secretary of Take Your Stand
Lucas Preston was born in Dearborn County, Indiana. He has been involved in the Youth Republicans of his county and has met many political figures, including Vivek Ramaswamy of Ohio. Preston is currently a Junior Secretary.
As Secretary of Take Your Stand, he helps coordinate organizational activities, supports planning for upcoming events, and ensures communication between members runs smoothly. He is currently a student at his local High School
Preston became interested in politics during the COVID-19 pandemic, which eventually led to his involvement in both local and national politics. He served as Vice Chairman of the Midwest for the High School Republicans National Federation and worked as an election judge for the 2024 Primary and General Elections. An avid lover of politics and history, he also runs a marketing company. He is graduating in 2026 and plans to pursue a degree in business at Ivy Tech.
Meet Dalton J. Nystrom
Treasurer of Take Your Stand
Dalton Nystrom is a resident of Rockford, Illinois, and serves as the Treasurer of Take Your Stand. He attends Northern Illinois
University (NIU), majoring in Electrical Engineering.
As Treasurer, Nystrom is responsible for overseeing the financial operations of the nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. He will manage the budget, monitor incoming and outgoing funds, ensure accurate financial records, and help maintain transparency and accountability in all financial matters. He also assists in planning fundraising initiatives and financial strategies to support the organization’s growth and long-term goals.
Nystrom brings strong analytical and numerical skills, having completed advanced high school calculus, along with a commitment to responsible financial management. His dedication will help ensure that Take Your Stand operates efficiently and effectively, empowering the organization to achieve its mission and make a lasting impact.
Meet Wesley R. Parr
Director of Strategy and Communications
Wesley Parr currently attends the University of the District of Columbia Community College, majoring in Liberal Studies with a personal focus on History, concentrating on the United States Civil War, as well as Political Science, History, and Analysis.
As Director of Strategy and Communications for Take Your Stand, Parr oversees the organization’s strategic direction, develops outreach plans, and determines who to contact and why each connection is important. He helps coordinate messaging and communications to ensure the organization’s initiatives are clear, effective, and impactful.
Parr brings strong analytical skills, strategic thinking, and a commitment to advancing civic engagement. His efforts help guide Take Your Stand toward achieving its mission and expanding its influence nationwide.
Meet Zachariah Anderson
Head of the Media
Zachariah Anderson currently attends his local high school in Michigan and is a volunteer to the organization.
As Head of Media for Take Your Stand, Anderson manages all of the organization’s valuable social media accounts, including YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, and more. Recognizing the importance of the digital world, he promotes the organization’s values online, engaging youth and reaching a wider audience.
Anderson brings strong outreach skills to the organization’s social media presence. He is responsible for creating and posting videos, updates, and formal announcements, ensuring Take Your Stand communicates effectively and maintains a consistent, professional image across all platforms.