Meet our Team
Parsa Avaz-Barandish
Founder & Director, Middle East Chair
My name is Parsa Avaz-Barandish, and I am currently a sophomore at The Bishop’s School in San Diego, CA. Ever since I was very young, I have had a passion for politics, as well as history. As I have grown older, I have gained an even deeper appreciation for the world around me. The vastness of all the religions, societies, languages, cultures, traditions, histories, and political structures of the world continue to fascinate me, as I learn more every day.’
My aim in founding ASPS was to create a platform where students like me, who are interested in being able to better understand politics, can discuss it critically. Students & youth, I have found, are often left out of political discourse. In fact, I have even noticed that in the US, children talking about politics and formulating opinions is sometimes perceived as taboo and unfitting. Nevertheless, the inevitability of the youth’s interest in politics shall prevail, and I see ASPS as a platform for this discovery and inquiry.
A little more about me – I love doing debate and Model United Nations. In my free time, I’ll explore the outdoors (touching grass as my generation would say), traveling around the world, but also reading, especially classics and non-fiction in the realm of history, politics, IR, and more recently, philosophy. I’m always open to talking with anyone about the state of the nation and the world and listening to your ideas, so please reach out regarding anything.
Contact: parsaab2008@gmail.com
Nelson Qin
Assistant Director, East Asia Chair
My name is Nelson Qin, and I’m a sophomore at The Bishop’s School. I am the assistant director and lead of the Program on East Asia at the American Student Political Society (ASPS), where I focus on creating opportunities for students to engage with the complex political and historical issues that shape the region today. Recently, I founded Students Without Borders, an organization dedicated to providing assistance and relief to migrants at the US-Mexico border.
I was born in Beijing, China, and immigrated to the United States at the age of 7. My love of history and politics began with my elementary school teachers, who made the subject interactive and enjoyable.
In addition to my academic interests, I’m an avid reader and love to immerse myself in books on history, political theory, and international relations. I also enjoy watching history-related YouTube channels and documentaries. (if you’re ever looking for recommendations, let me know!) Outside of academics, I’m involved with both the debate and Model UN teams at my school.
I’m motivated by a desire to understand the world and contribute to meaningful change, whether through ASPS, my organization, or other personal pursuits. I’m excited to explore the intersections of history, politics, and global affairs, and I look forward to connecting with others who share these interests through ASPS!
Contact: nqin0617@gmail.com
Kavi Zaveri-Tabb
Media Lead, East Asia Co-Chair
My name is Kavi Zaveri-Tabb, and I am a sophomore at The Bishop’s School. I am the Media Lead at ASPS, where I also focus on South Asia in the East Asia Program. From a young age, I remember being scolded for always arguing with my parents, sister, and frankly, anyone I met. While everyone else found my hobby annoying, deeming me a future lawyer, I found it rather fun. I have now turned my talents in arguing and public speaking into things like speech and debate. My parents being heavily involved in politics rubbed off on me at a young age, and I have always valued being up-to-date on the current state of affairs and forming my own opinions on key issues and policies.
I am a part of ASPS because I believe that everyone in this nation should be well-versed in politics while being able to critically think and form their own opinions. I have seen too often kids’ opinions about a person or issue being swayed by a particularly cool edit or clip. I believe that having a platform like ASPS will amplify the opinions of kids who do have one while encouraging others to discover and learn more about politics.
As well as politics, I am on my way to founding Students in Business, an organization with the goal of teaching kids to become entrepreneurs while improving their public speaking skills, I love watching basketball and baseball, playing basketball and sailing, reading, watching videos on things like physics, chemistry or anything I find interesting, cooking food, traveling and immersing myself in different cultures, the ocean, rainforests, and learning new things.
I am always up for discussing politics, from the election to the war in Gaza, so feel free to contact.
Contact: kavi.zaveri-tabb.27@bishops.com
Sophie Arrowsmith
American Politics Chair, Advocacy Co-Chair
My name is Sophie Arrowsmith, and I am currently in my junior year at The Bishop’s School. My passion for politics has not been prevalent throughout my adolescence but instead sprouted from the exploration of my heritage. Growing up as an Iranian-American never meant much to me politically, but when I first visited Washington D.C. in 7th grade and saw the vacant Iranian Embassy on Embassy Row, curiosity surrounding international relations overtook me. How the U.S. communicates and works with our neighbors, allies, or political adversaries is fascinating to me and I have devoted much of my high school education to learning more.
My love for foreign policy parlayed itself into a desire to learn more about domestic issues as well. This year as I take AP Comparative Government as well as AP U.S. Government, I find myself constantly in awe of the structure of different governments. By joining ASPS I hope to learn more from my peers while simultaneously sharing the knowledge I have accumulated. I will be chairing the American Politics Program and periodically chiming in on Advocacy.
In my free time I enjoy debating my fellow senators in Speech and Debate, grilling witnesses as a prosecution attorney at Mock Trial, playing both tennis and lacrosse and spending time with my family, at home or around the world. I am always looking to learn more about the world around me, so please reach out!
Contact: sophie.arrowsmith.26@bishops.com
If you are interested in joining the team, please contact us
- Writers for PAX Political Review
- Assistance with media & content
- Chairs for Programs
Under Inquiry/Collaboration, write what you wish to do for ASPS – Thank You
