Dara Gaines is an honors junior majoring in political science at The University of Arkansas. She is the Vice-President of the Lambda Theta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She is also a Silas H. Hunt and Dean's List scholar, President of the Black Student's Association and Vice-President of the Black Alumni Association. Dara was recently selected as the undergraduate recipient of the Northwest Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus Emerging Leader Scholarship. Due to her passion for history and working with children, Dara has developed an interest in the political participation habits of Black youth. Exploring various ways to stimulate their interest, Dara hopes her research will help to increase their participation, even to the point of holding office themselves. After college, Dara will enroll in a political science graduate program focusing on public policy.