Story by Karysa Brown, Carlton; Edited by Lale Akkin, Mounds View
The Youth in Government program offers a wide array of program areas, each with unique opportunities for personal and professional growth. These diverse areas present countless possibilities for eighth graders and first year students to explore and hone their skills in a variety of fields, from legislative work to judicial roles. It is exciting to think about the paths that the current eighth graders in the program may pursue as they continue their involvement in the years to come. Some may be drawn to the lower leg, where they can engage in legislative processes, debate, and policy-making. Others may find themselves eager to test their abilities in trial courts, tackling real-world legal scenarios and sharpening their critical thinking and public speaking skills. Hopefully, these eighth graders plan on continuing further within the program.
Out of 10 leadership corp delegates polled by the Media team, seven out of 10 want to go into the lower legislature and continue making bills that they will be able to debate on the floor. “I am in Leadership Corps group one, and plan on going into the lower legislature,” said Gwyndolyn Gibson from the Lakeville delegation.
Three out of 10 Leadership Corps delegates want to go into Trial Courts where they can defend their cases and gather a plethora of evidence that will help them win cases. “The Leadership Corps group I am in is group three, and I’m going to go into Trial Courts,” said Hank Hogan from the Rodgers delegation.
There are a couple of delegates who are already planning ahead for their futures in other program areas. “I’m in group two for Leadership Corps, and I plan on going into the lower legislature. But I’m going to apply to the Media later on,” said Hudson Smith, from the Orono delegation.
But we even have someone who has already applied to become an appointed official. “I plan on going into the lower legislature, and I have applied for an appointed position. My first pick is floor leader, and second choice is administrative assistant,” said Quinn Johansen from the Wayzata delegation.
The future leaders of YIG are already getting out there and being more involved within the program. Hopefully, the Leadership Corps delegates continue to improve and develop even more skills that will make their experience at YIG even more memorable.