Vermont’s Kid Governor’s Cabinet is led by 2026 Vermont’s Kid Governor Roslyn Fortin and includes the six final candidates from the 2025 Statewide Election. The Cabinet will meet throughout 2026 to advise Roslyn, discuss how they can support Roslyn’s campaign platform in their own communities, and collaborate with each other as they accomplish their own three-point platforms.
Learn more about the 2026 Cabinet below and send your questions for the Cabinet to info@VT.KidGovernor.org.
Meet the Cabinet
Gaelen McNaughton
School: Weathersfield School
Town: Ascutney
Community Issue: Improving School Lunch
ur diet has a huge impact on our health and well-being, and since students are at school 5 days a week with most of their meals coming from schools, I believe that those meals should be healthy. According to my research, about 23% of school lunches are not locally sourced, which I think could also be improved. My Mom, who passed away, was also passionate about health lunches and worked to improve our school standards when she served on the school board.
Watch Gaelen’s campaign video HERE.
About Me: I live with my Dad, Step-Mom, brother, and two step-sisters. I also have two dogs named Winston and Roxy. I enjoy sports and compete in hockey, track and field, and cross country. I like playing pickleball for fun. I hope to be a professional athlete or lawyer someday.
Karin Ashley
School: Barnet School
Town: Barnet
Community Issue: Improving Mental Health for School Safety
I chose mental health because kids that do not receive treatment may grow up to be a danger to themselves or others. When kids are treated kindly, it can boost their mental health by increasing their self-esteem, reducing depression, and promoting friendships.
Watch Karin’s campaign video HERE.
About Me: I do ballet and contemporary dance and I go to a summer intensive ballet camp called Burklyn Ballet Theater. I was born in Japan but since my dad is American and my mom is Japanese, I am half American and half Japanese.
Lincoln Ratta
School: Lincoln Community School
Town: Lincoln
Community Issue: Healthcare Accessibility
My community issue focuses on lowering healthcare costs, to make it affordable and accessible. I have noticed that healthcare prices are high in the nation, also both of my parents work in the medical field. This inspired me to help make a change.
Watch Lincoln’s campaign video HERE.
About Me: I enjoy biking, painting, and doing math. I have a brother, a mom, a dad, a cat, a dog, and finally three fish, all of whch I love and help me along the way (of life). Currently me and a few of my friends have been making a short film, which I do in my free time
Phoebe Bingham
School: Red Fox Community School
Town: Manchester
Community Issue: Mental Health in Children
I chose my platform because I have struggled with anxiety myself for the past few years and my Dad is a therapist who works with people on their mental health. I would like to help make sure other kids in Vermont have access to help with whatever they are struggling with.
Watch Phoebe’s campaign video HERE.
About Me: I moved to Vermont with my family three years ago from the Atlanta, Georgia area and although I miss my friends in Georgia, I love living in Vermont. My family includes my mom, dad, and little brother named Jack. We have a fluffy black dog named Huckleberry, two cats named Poppy and Pipsqueak, and two adorable angora rabbits. I have a serious love of reading and enjoy many other hobbies too including horseback riding, theater, archery, ballet, figure skating, knitting, weaving, beadwork, and arts and crafts of all kinds.
Rumano Hassan
School: Champlain Elementary
Town: Burlington
Community Issue: Vermont Strong: Inside and Out!
I chose mental health as my community issue because many people are struggling with stress, sadness, and feeling overwhelmed. When people are stressed, it can be hard for them to focus, be kind, or feel good about themselves. Everyone deserves support for their mental health. I believe people can help themselves by spending more time outside, taking breaks from screens, connecting with others, and practicing kindness toward themselves and others.
Watch Rumano’s campaign video HERE.
About Me: I live with my mom in Vermont. I come from a big family with ten kids. Some of my favorite hobbies are making art, listening to music, baking brownies, and creating bracelets. I also love to eat sushi. I enjoy being creative and spending time doing things that make me feel happy and relaxed.
Westyn Danforth
School: Bradford Elementary
Town: Bradford
Community Issue: Bullying Prevention
I chose this topic because when it comes to bullying, kids don’t realize what they are doing and how bad they are hurting someone. Bullies are hurting kids emotionally and it can lead to kids making bad decisions.
Watch Westyn’s campaign video HERE.
About Me: I live in Bradford with my Mom Blakelee, my Dad Matthew, and my sister Maylee. I have a dog named Pearl. My favorite hobbies are playing football, baseball, and playing hockey. My passion is to be a successful athlete.