This past Saturday, more than 125 middle and high school youth from across the state spent their day back in the classroom learning not only the democratic process of government, but more importantly finding their voice, articulating their values, and demonstrating their poise and emerging confidence.Y Youth and Government is a program designed to educate middle and high school students about the principles of democratic government. Started in New York in 1936, the Youth and Government program was the brainchild of Clement "Pete" Duran, the Boys' Work Secretary of the Albany YMCA. Duran felt that America was in need of better educated politicians with real character and integrity. He believed that the way of providing such politicians was to form programs for young people that developed these character traits. His idea of model youth legislatures continues to be the guiding idea in today's Youth and Government programs, and the motto for his program, "Democracy Must Be Learned by Each Generation," is the motto for all Youth and Government programs in the United States.
The Maryland Y Youth & Government program, in operation for more than 60 years, provides a practical experience in civic education and leadership development for more than 150 high school and middle school students. The program focuses on developing skills, such as research, writing, debate and parliamentary procedure. Students from across the state form delegations, delve into the legislative process; debate issues that affect citizens of their state, write bills and campaign among their peers. The culminating event is a three day mock assembly in Annapolis.
As a result of the program, young people learn about the democratic system and are trained in parliamentary procedure, legislative committee process, debate, press relations, and lobbying techniques. Delegates learn by doing and have the opportunity to try their hand at leadership in an open and receptive learning environment
During the 2009 session, 139 students, from 10 delegations, participated in the program.
The task for the delegations on Saturday was two-fold; elect key leadership and rank the 150 + bills that were submitted. I was introduced to the newly elected cabinet and couldn’t help but think that I was looking into our future. The Youth Governor introduced himself first and was followed by the rest of the cabinet. Dress code for the meetings requires suit & tie/business dress. These young people were poised and confident; albeit transitioning as young adults. I then visited classrooms where bills were being ranked in committee. Education was ranking a student bill disallowing dropping out of high school. The writer of the bill was being questioned by a delegate about exceptions to the proposed bill. Public Safety was debating a student bill related to self-defense and appropriate force. Delegate questions to the writer were thought provoking and required young people to really examine their beliefs. On a lighter note, another bill was presented that banned the use of child leashes (harnesses). In each of these committees, parliamentarians were monitoring the exchange for correct protocol.
Y Youth and Government is an asset rich program that supports young people with the experiences and relationships that become building blocks for healthy development. Perhaps the best way to sum up the program and conclude my thoughts is to share the experience of a Youth and Government student:
Y&G played an integral role in my high school years. I could talk for hours about the typical clichés that students walk away from Y&G with. I could tell you that Y&G gave me a chance to really stand up and take hold of my opinions and to formerly debate them with opposing views. I could tell you that Y&G brought me closer than ever to my best friends and to this day, I have remained even closer with them, now 4 years out of the program. I could also tell you that Y&G gave each and every one of us the chance to believe in not only our values and opinions, but each other. But, you can read all of that in a brochure. To me, Y&G was a way of life, a growing up, and a coming-into-my-own. It taught me to open my eyes to each and every aspect of my beliefs as well as my peers’. It gave me a chance to walk into a room and fight with every part of me for what I believed to be right. It humbled me when I did not succeed and encouraged me when I triumphed. I will not speak for everyone but I can, and will, speak for myself when I say that Y&G stands true to the conviction that the youth of this nation is where we place our cards for the future. With this indescribable and invaluable program, there is no finer way to better prepare the next generations for leadership on communal, national, and global levels. - Emily Rich, class of 2005
Posted by Chris Ader-Soto, Vice President of Child and Family Development, Y of Central Maryland
