2025 Mentors
Peter Roff – Essay Mentor
Media Fellow, Newsweek Contributing Editor and Columnist
Peter Roff is a Newsweek contributing editor and columnist. Between 2008 and 2019, he wrote a column three times a week for U.S. News and World Report from 2008 to 2019. From 2000 to 2005 he was on the Washington desk at United Press International.
His writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Washington Times, The New York Post, The Daily Caller, Investors Business Daily, The Washington Examiner, The Detroit News, The Orange County Register, The Houston Chronicle, and The Hill.
He’s also appeared on “MSNBC,” “Fox News,” “CBS News Overnight,” “Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher,” “The Dennis Miller Show,” “C-SPAN’s Washington Journal” and on the 90’s ABC comedy “Spin City” playing himself.
As senior political writer for United Press International, he authored the Washington insider “Capitol Comment” and “White House Watch” columns and well as news analyses, and commentary.
He is a former member of the White House Correspondents’ Association and a member of the News Leaders Association.
Madeline Peltzer – Essay Mentor
Capitol Hill Press Secretary & Former We The Future Contest Winner
Madeline Peltzer is deputy press secretary for Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri. Previously, she served as press secretary for Congressman John James (MI-10) and a ghostwriter for former Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel at the Republican National Committee where she wrote nearly 100 op-eds throughout the 2022 election cycle. Madeline graduated from Hillsdale College in 2021 where she was a Politics major and Journalism minor. She was born and raised in Arizona and is still a Western girl at heart.
Maura Gillespie – PSA Mentor
Founder & Principal at Bluestack Strategies, LLC
An established communications professional and proud New Jersey native, Maura established Bluestack Strategies to help tell the stories of those who wish to grow their business, develop strategic communications plans, expand their brand, and/or build an audience. She brings her political consulting experience and years of communications expertise to this endeavor and to her role as a Partner at Foxhound Advisors, a principal-level-only public affairs and communications firm that provides a customized, creative approach for clients across industries and issue areas.
Eric Wilson – Social Media Mentor
Political Technologist
Eric Wilson is a political technologist driving innovation and digital transformation. He’s a veteran of numerous campaigns, having led Marco Rubio’s digital team during his 2016 campaign for president.
Today, he is a Senior Vice President at Bullpen Strategy Group, an insights-focused public affairs advocacy and strategic advisory firm. He’s also the Managing Partner of Startup Caucus, an investment fund and incubator for Republican campaign technology.
Named Campaigns & Election’s “2021 Technology Leader of the Year” and a Harvard Ash Center Technology & Democracy Fellow (2019-2021), he’s frequently interviewed by the media about campaigns and technology and regularly speaks domestically and internationally about the digital transformation of politics.
He’s a proud graduate of the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee and the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science at the University of North Texas. Eric and his wife have a daughter and son and live in the Washington, D.C. area.
Talya Messeri – Short Film Mentor
Philanthropic Investments Officer, The Moving Picture Institute
Talya Messeri, a philanthropic investments officer with MPI, works with supporters to deepen existing relationships and introduce new individuals to the organization’s powerful programs and projects. Prior to joining MPI, Talya’s career focused on working with startups and longstanding organizations to create overall growth strategies and expand fundraising capabilities through outreach and engagement efforts. She is a graduate of the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California with a degree in cinema-television production.
Isabella Cring – Song Mentor
Digital Media Professional and Songwriter
Isabella Cring is a Nashville-based digital media professional and songwriter with a dynamic background in live events, music production, social media management, and performance. She’s a two-time winner of the “We The Future” contest by Constituting America and the artist behind “The Bill of Rights Song” on Spotify. Isabella plays bass guitar in a punk band and performs at festivals across the Midwest, while also working backstage with authors, coaches, and keynote speakers. Raised in a recording studio, she released her first EP at 14 and has since built a multifaceted career both in front of and behind the camera.
John Griffin – Song Mentor
Nashville Songwriter & Social Media Strategist
John Griffin is a singer-songwriter, social media strategist, and co-owner of YN Records. He has had songs recorded by several independent artists including Chris Lane, Tyler Barham, American Idol’s Chelsea Sorrell, Matt Bednarsky, Wendy Newcomer, Justen Harden, Parker Redmond and Clayton Smalley. John currently has a song on country radio titled, “Another Love Song” with Season 9 The Voice contestant James Dupré. Songs John have written have been streamed over 6 million times. John lives in Nashville and has carved his own path in the music industry by educating himself on various aspects of the music business. He prides himself on having a good eye for talent and enjoys helping young artists navigate the music industry.
Moses Uvere – Song Mentor
Musical Artist
Born and raised in Dallas Texas, Moses Uvere was the first born to Patience and Gabriel Uvere, immigrants who came to America to seek the “American Dream.” Being brought up by parents from a different country, Moses witnessed first hand what the “American Dream” was all about and the struggle to achieve a better life. Living in poverty stricken areas Moses had an up close view of growing up poor, sharing clothes with his brothers, wearing hand me downs, and not getting much during the holidays. Moses was an active kid who always played sports and was a fine football prospect in high school where his career was cut short. Due to the fact that his mom left the family, he the eldest of the six, had to grow up quickly to help his dad raise his
two little brothers and his little sister. “The things in my life didn’t break me, but made me the man I am today.”
Music had always been a part of his life and after being in the group Minority Authority for a few years, Moses struck out on his own. He met up with Dustin Cavazos who produced his first release, “From Worse to Better.” (2008) The album is a reflection of past experiences that he has seen and lived, Few years later (2011) Uvere signed a record deal with Universal / mo-town producer geoff rockwell under the imprint of chaos creative and released an album entitled “mind the gap” and Received critical acclaim. Following that album Uvere had his most (2014) highest profile release yet with “never been better” in which lead him to be in front of 13.9 million people according to Anchor Marketing. His next release (2016) Kingdom of the fallen the album reached the top 100 of the iTunes charts (47) and was followed up with a Performance at the historic Klyde warren park as the first Christian hip hop artist in its history to be invited as a headliner.
Moses Uvere is a multi-talented Christian rapper and artist who is the voice of a generation. A fearless wordsmith who isn’t afraid to break the norms and push the boundaries of possibility spending most of his upbringing Garland TX. His drive. focus. and tenacity have led him to become a relentless and emerging force in the independent hip-hop circuit. Moses Uvere is making music that is driven by a desire to reshape a generation and enthrall audiences worldwide. His hard work has garnered him plaudits from peers and audiences as well as diverse and unique opportunities. He has toured with the national Christian association of Nigeria. He has opened up for industry giants such as 2 Chainz, Trey Songz. Meek Mill, Lecrae, and Andy Mineo, Derek Minor, Toby Mac, and Jeremy Camp. He has also made notable appearances on ABC, CBS, TB, CW 33 Dallas Morning News, Yahoo News, DLiving Magazine, and recently in 2021 he charted #1 in the top 100 on the iTunes charts as an independent artist. Moses is also the recipient of the CBS 11 Texan With Character Award” and he was inducted into the Berkner High School Hall of Fame in October of 2019. He is a husband, a father of three, and currently lead pastor at The Vine of Life in Garland, TX .
Miriam Palicz – STEM Mentor
Senior Manager of External Affairs for NetChoice
As Senior Manager of External Affairs for NetChoice, Miriam focuses on bringing together tech policy advocates with federal and state-level think tanks, business groups, taxpayer groups, grassroots organizations, and others on the center-right in support of pertinent issues.
Prior to joining NetChoice, Miriam worked at American for Tax Reform as their State Coalitions Manager. During her tenure, Miriam built and oversaw a national network of activists and thought-leaders promoting economic growth at the federal and state level as well as a pro-business agenda.
Miriam holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Saint Louis University.
Michael Gardner – Teacher Mentor
Civic Education Specialist & Retired Master Social Studies Teacher
Michael Gardner is a retired U.S. Navy veteran and distinguished Master Social Studies teacher with decades of experience in the classroom, where he taught AP U.S. History and U.S. Government. He holds a Master’s degree in Higher Education with a focus on Government and American History. A dedicated civic educator, Michael is a certified We the People instructor and a James Madison Teaching Fellow with the Center for Civic Education.
Michael has served as a mentor to Virginia educators on topics relating to the U.S. and Virginia Constitutions and regularly judges We the People competitions at the regional, state, and national levels. He is an active member of the Virginia Council for the Social Studies (VCSS), serving on its board and frequently presenting at its conferences. Additionally, he is a national member of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) and continues to volunteer at the We the People National Finals.
Based in Virginia Beach, Michael remains passionate about strengthening civic education and supporting the next generation of government and history educators.