posted March 27, 2008
An unprecedented number of high school students from throughout the state will participate in the Tennessee YMCA Youth Legislature Conferences March 27-30 and April 17-20.
Young people from Lookout Valley and Ooltewah High Schools will participate in the first conference, held March 27-30 with Ooltewah’s Andrew Lawson serving as House of Representative Chaplin and A.J. Harris serving as the House of Representatives Sergeant at Arms.
Youth Legislature, a student run program encompassing every aspect of state government, consists of a Supreme Court, Governor’s Cabinet, Press Corps, Lobbyist Component, House and Senate and Gubernatorial Debates.
Students choose which position they will hold prior to the conference and spend months preparing whether drafting legislation, researching proposals or writing briefs. During the actual conferences, students carry out their selected roles. The House and Senate chambers, as an example, are taken over by the young people, who present, debate and vote on proposals – then follow the bills as they go to the youth governor who either passes or vetoes the proposed legislation.
“The Youth Legislature Conference gives students a glimpse into the inner workings of the government and provides an opportunity to see first-hand how it works,” said Tennessee YMCA Youth in Government State Director Susan Moriarty. “These young people take on the role of our state leaders with pride and grace ensuring us the future is in good hands.”
Gov. Phil Bredesen, who will meet with 2008 Youth Governors Matthew Robinson (Gallatin High School – senior) and Tyler Thomason (Brentwood Academy – senior) prior to the conferences, consistently recognizes the value of the program and its role in building a better future for Tennessee.
"It's very encouraging to see young student leaders from across the state and various backgrounds taking the initiative to learn about state government," said Gov. Bredesen. "This conference will help further their knowledge of the political process and provide a unique opportunity to understand how policy is established and changed. The Youth Legislature program plays an important role in educating future leaders of our state and laying the groundwork for them toward a possible career in public service."
A number of Youth in Government alumni have gone onto careers in public service including former United States Congressman Bob Clement, Tennessee Commissioner of Economic and
Community Development Matt Kisber, State Representative Brian Kelsey, General Counsel for the United States Department of Agriculture Marc Kesselman, and Metro Councilman Sean McGuire.
“For 55 years the Tennessee YMCA Youth Legislature has been encouraging strong civic engagement,” Ms. Moriarty said. “It is vital for these young people to know they can make a difference – and they do.”
The Tennessee YMCA Youth in Government program, the second largest in the nation, is a statewide leadership development program designed to allow students ages 11-19 to experience the processes of government in a hands-on way. Students in the program have the opportunity to engage in mock governments at the state, national and international levels.
For more information about the Middle Tennessee YMCA Youth in Government program, please visit www.tennesseeyig.org.
Conference A Participating schools
East Tennessee
Lookout Valley High School – Chattanooga
Ooltewah High School - Ooltewah
Middle Tennessee
Christ Presbyterian Academy - Nashville
Clarksville High School – Clarksville
Ensworth High School – Nashville
Franklin High School – Franklin
Gallatin High School – Gallatin
Glencliff High School – Nashville
Hume Fogg Academic – Nashville
Harpeth Hall – Nashville
Independence High School – Thompson’s Station
Montgomery Bell Academy – Nashville
Pope John Paul II – Hendersonville
Springfield High School – Springfield
University School of Nashville – Nashville
West Tennessee
Houston High School - Memphis
Hutchison School - Memphis
Memphis University School - Memphis
St. Mary’s School – Memphis
White Station High School - Memphis
Conference B Participating schools
East Tennessee
Heritage High School - Maryville
Webb School – Knoxville
West High School – Knoxville
Middle Tennessee
Brentwood Academy - Brentwood
Brentwood High School – Brentwood
Centennial High School – Franklin
Davidson Academy – Nashville
Father Ryan High School - Nashville
Franklin Road Academy – Nashville
Girl Scouts of Cumberland Valley
Loretto High School – Loretto
Merrol Hyde Magnet School – Hendersonville
Mt. Juliet High School – Mt. Juliet
Ravenwood High School – Brentwood
St. Cecilia Academy – Nashville
Station Camp High School – Hendersonville
Smyrna High School – Smyrna
West Tennessee
Christian Brothers High School – Memphis
Immaculate Conception High School – Memphis
St. Agnes Academy – Memphis
St. George’s Independent School –Collierville
Westminster Academy - Memphis
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