Story by Bryn Cannon, St. Anthony; Edited by Lale Akkin, Mounds View; Image by Nicholas Anderson, Irondale
The YIG program keeps students coming every year, thanks to its immersive community-building experiences. Sadly, there comes a time when the oldest delegates must face their final conference. Whether they started five years ago in the Leadership Corps, or if this is their first year, seniors have gained valuable insight on what it’s like to be a delegate and how it feels to say goodbye.
Many seniors feel down about 2024 being their final conference. Bridget Feyo from the Rogers Delegation is in her fifth year and says, “I’m really sad because there’s so much stuff to try out and I don’t have time to do it.” Randal Fleury from the Eagan Delegation says, “It sucks because since I joined so late, I wasn’t able to do a lot of the things that the seniors are able to do, like have an official position. I’m in my second year… and it’s something that I wish I could’ve done had I joined earlier. So it’s kind of bittersweet. I’m definitely having a blast, but it sucks that I can’t continue.” Zachary Magnuson from the Dover Eyota Delegation joined YIG this year and says, “I’m actually kind of really sad because so far it’s been a lot of fun. I wish I had started this sooner, but it’s just the first year our delegation has been a thing… I think I would’ve felt much better knowing that I could come back next year, but I think, because I can’t do that, I’m just going to try to make the most of the next few days.” Hopefully, all of the seniors disappointed about leaving can make some final, long-lasting memories this year.
While some feel upset, other graduating delegates feel mixed emotions going into their last conference. Maddie Maack from the Eagan Delegation is in her fifth year at YIG and says, “I’ve made a lot of really close friends of mine in Youth in Government, so it’s going to be tough to not have this to look forward to every year. But because the relationships I’ve made are so strong, I’ve been able to connect with people outside of the conference. I guess I’m feeling kinda the senior thing of being ready to move on, but the nostalgia is really hitting right now, so it’s kinda bittersweet.” Kaira Cullen, also from the Eagan Delegation, is in her second year. She says, “I don’t necessarily wish I could do it another year because I’m kind of ready to move on and go to college, but I wish I had joined [YIG] earlier.”
Through the years, the seniors have made many fond memories. Some love their program areas, such as Maack who shares, “Last year in the house, I was the administrative assistant, and I was literally running back and forth from the SOS on the Saturday. It was a crazy day trying to pass literally 80 bills.” Others love the evening activities such as Naomi Musta from the New Prague Delegation who says, “My favorite YIG memory is definitely karaoke in the big room… we were just dancing and singing and having a great time.” Fleury says, “I really enjoyed the talent show last year.” Some seniors enjoyed meal time like Feyo, who says, “My favorite memory is from Leadership Corps in eighth grade with my giant friend group and we went to Five Guys and sat at a table for two.” Whatever their fondest memories may be, delegates clearly had a blast in their time in the YIG program.
As they enjoy their final conference, seniors have some parting advice for those starting out in YIG. Maack encourages people to reach out to those around them, saying, “Talk to the person next to you on the bus, and in your program areas, and at dinner and lunch. Just meet as many people as you can. You never know who’s gonna be one of your best friends.” Feyo says, “Make sure you come in prepared, but don’t be too hard on yourself.” Others encourage younger delegates to pursue the opportunities YIG has to offer. “Run, run, run. If you want to [go] further in YIG, run for office, go further, be ambitious, talk to people, do what you want to do because you might get there,” says Fleury. Nik Schaefer from the Dover Eyota Delegation gives broad but solid advice: “Put yourself out there. Take risks. Don’t hold back. I think this conference is a really great time to push yourself and see what happens.”
The seniors have made their marks on the program and will be missed next year. To all those graduating, good luck in the future and enjoy the rest of the conference.