If you are like me, it’s become increasingly harder to watch the news or scroll through social media without becoming overwhelmed with the state of things in the world.
Wars nobody asked for.
Pedophile rings running our government at every level.
Prices of the necessities we all use and need every day affected by massive market manipulations designed to make the rich even richer.
Homes impossible to acquire on a middle class income.
And on and on.
But enough is enough.
I don’t want to Run for office
I have to
I couldn’t sit by for another moment and watch as our democracy becomes the worst version of itself. My dad, a retired civics and government teacher, always taught that:
“we get bad government when we allow it, and good government when we demand it.”
We can’t allow bad Government any longer!
Who am I?
I’m not a wealthy landowner, or a nepo-baby political legacy with dark money behind me.
I’m an art teacher at a school for at-risk youth.
I’ve also taught oversees at a University HS in Japan.
I’m a renter, though like many of you I would love to own a home.
I’m a volunteer for disaster relief, through All-Hands and Hearts (shout-out to an amazing non-profit org!).
A neighbor, a colleague, an everyman. Just like you. And just like you, I’m ready for a change. But I’m not willing to wait for it any longer.
Speed Date
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![A promotional image for America's Favorite Teacher featuring a man's portrait, handwritten note saying 'Vote for me!' with an A+ grade circle, and a title questioning if Darian Sundberg is America's favorite teacher.]()
Educator for At-Risk Youth
ART TEACHER
I am currently an Art teacher at an academy here in Adams County that services at-risk youth.I moved back to PA in order to prioritize helping the next generation a leg up on their future. Focusing on those who have the most need helps to ensure a more equal footing on their path to success, with those who may not have had to struggle.
John Adams, the second President of the US, and namesake of our county once said that He studied war and politics so his son could study trade and finance, so HIS son could study the arts. He wanted a safer and enriching life for the next generation. I want that too, and I want to help us get there in any way I can.
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![A man holding two certificates, one in English and one in Japanese, with a surprised expression.]()
Foreign Teacher and Goodwill Ambassador
Not only am I a teacher, but I have taught oversees in Japan. I had the pleasure of working at the Toyama University of International Studies -HS, where I taught English and Co-lead the English Debate team to Nationals. We ranked in the top 10 for the first time ever! Sugoi!
Because of my work and community building in the Toyama prefecture, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Communication granted me an honorary Friendly Envoy/Goodwill Ambassador status, with the goal of fostering cross-cultural appreciation.
While it doesn’t hold any political weight, I cherish the honor and take the charge seriously. Multi-cultural appreciation and communicating across language and cultural barriers has helped me grow in more ways than I can count! I encourage anyone and everyone to live abroad at some point.
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![Two construction workers, wearing helmets and masks, are installing a wooden beam on a building's exterior wall.]()
Disaster Relief Volunteer
ALL HANDS AND HEARTS
I remember watching the devastation from Hurricane Katrina back in 2004 and felt so helpless as I stared at the TV. Like many of you, I wanted to help, but didn’t know how to get involved.All hands and Hearts is an amazing organization that connects volunteers to disaster relief projects domestically and internationally. I have helped rebuild homes in Coastal Bend, Texas; build housing for refugees on the border of Ukraine in Poland; repaired roofs and rebuilt schools in the Bahamas; and built bedding, distributed goods and muck & gutted homes that flooded in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Making sure people have safe and secure places to live is important to me. I did it there, We can do it here!
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![Bronze sculpture of a woman’s head tilted back, with short hair, mounted on a circular marble base, displayed in an art gallery with blurred people in the background.]()
Artist
SCULPTOR, ILLUSTRATOR, ARIST
I studied art and received my bachelors degree at Millersville University. I discovered there that we still make bronze sculptures in the 21st century. I was surprised and immediately hooked. I think of myself as a sculptor to this day. I never feel more like myself than when I’m sculpting in clay.
My interests couldn’t be contained by just one medium, though. I am an illustrator, a puppet maker, prop fabricator, painter, graphic designer and am studying 3D digital modeling.
It sounds like a lot but I don’t know everything yet! I do consider myself a lifelong learner, and I’ll strive for proficiency in as many creative endeavors as I can. It helps to know how to do it all if you are going to teach it to students!
I don’t often sell artwork, though. I find making it for me is more rewarding than making it for money.
I’m running for office because I’m invested in changing the direction our democracy is headed. We need a steady hand on the wheel, to help steer us in a direction that puts the future of Pennsylvanians in our field of vision.
We can’t continue to support politicians who ignore the impacts of their vote on the future, and make decisions for the interests of the moment, or even worse: themselves.
Pennsylvania birthed this nation, writing into existence the possibility of demanding independence from tyranny. Insisting that the people have the unquestionable rights to live freely, safely and happily. It was Pennsylvania that hosted the writing of our Constitution, enshrining the rights we cherish and value.
It’s Pennsylvania who can lead the way back to a stronger, more responsible and more representative government that all Americans yearn for.
We can’t stop everything that happens at the Federal level, but Harrisburg can limit the impact these choices have on the people. So why aren’t they?
Let’s make the world a little easier to live in, shall we?
I’m committed to supporting changes that force a more representative and less corrupt legislature, reduce living costs, hold corporations accountable, promote education and ensure we protect our natural resources including farmland and clean air/water as is guaranteed in our PA constitution.
If these sound like issues you’ve been worried about too, you’re in the right place.