TARs Reborn!
by TARs Adviser Catherine Barranco
Nine months ago, I was chosen State Adviser of the South Dakota Teenage Republicans (SD TARs), embarking upon a mission to breathe life back into a once vibrant organization that had unfortunately gone dormant. With the new year underway, I’d like to report on the incredible success we achieved and make an exciting announcement for the future!
The first thing that pops to mind whenever anyone mentions TARs is Camp….. and what a camp it was! This year included many fan-favorites: Mt Rushmore, WaTiki Waterpark, karaoke night, nature hike, talent show, tubing in the creek, and a lovely banquet dinner. We added instant hits, including Rush Mountain Adventure Park, media training, Legislative Page and Roberts Rules education as well as a discussion of conservative principles that define what it means to be Republican. We hosted exclusive events with legislators and supporters: the Fast Pitch Forum and Ice Cream Caucus. A number of Constitutional Officers spoke, and for the first time EVER, all four of South Dakota’s top elected officials — U.S. Senator John Thune, U.S. Senator Mike Rounds, Governor Larry Rhoden, and U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson — personally visited to address our campers!
Throughout 2025, TARs was visibly active statewide. Executive board members and I spoke at a dozen meetings hosted by county GOPs and/or Republican Women clubs. We supported events across the state, including Brookings, Lincoln, Meade, Bon Homme, and Codington Lincoln Day Dinners. Often, TARs volunteers served the food, refilled the pitchers, and cleared the tables!
We joined the GOP at fairs, including the State Fair, as well as the Brookings GOP Picnic. For the first time in recent memory, TARs participated in Christmas at the Capitol. As thousands of visitors walked the hallowed halls — admiring trees full of Christmas cheer — they saw the name “South Dakota Teenage Republicans.”
In addition to hosting and participating in events around the state, we built infrastructure. We began an ongoing collaboration with Call to Freedom, instituting new child-protection protocols. We doubled membership and debuted our new commitment cards. We opened TARs’ bank account and email address, relaunched TARs’ social media, adopted a new TARs logo, and printed TARs stationary and “Raised Right” stickers to distribute. We created new online forms for donations, volunteer requests, membership, and event registration, each complete with its own QR Code. We launched a marketing campaign that included promotional videos, flyers, brochures, two large vinyl banners, as well as articles in print media and online blogs. We smashed fundraising records! We started with nothing, but thanks to your generous monetary and in-kind donations, we accomplished a tremendous amount and still ended the year with over $5,000!!
It’s been an incredible comeback, and none of it would have been possible without the support of so many: the South Dakota Federation of Republican Women, state and county GOPs, donors, elected officials, and a fantastic executive board, especially Kayla Randall and Aidyn Melville, who succeeded her as Chair at the conclusion of Camp.
Finally, I’m excited to announce that Kayla Randall is taking over as TARs Adviser! Kayla graduated high school in May. With her many years of experience as a TARs member and officer, Kayla is well poised to build upon the success we’ve enjoyed. I am confident Kayla and her board will lead TARs into the future. Please join me in congratulating Kayla and wishing her well in this important endeavor!
Grateful for all your support,
Catherine Barranco
2025 TARs State Adviser
Catherine Barranco did a terrific job