MARTIN COUNTY — High school students are being groomed for the future at the YMCA of the Treasure Coast. Through a program called Youth in Government, the Y is teaching young people qualities such as public speaking, working as a team, and preparing properly for big projects.
Along with these traits, these South Fork and Martin County High School students are also submersing themselves in the organization and the roles involved with Florida’s governmental process.
On Feb. 21, the Treasure Coast Y participants, along with other Youth in Government participants from around Florida, will be traveling to Tallahassee to take part in the State Assembly. During this event, representatives from each delegation have the opportunity to present and vote on bills and run for executive cabinet positions.
Twice each month, local Youth in Government participants have been meeting at their high school with their school sponsors in order to prepare for the assembly. Each person has a job duty that they will be responsible for.
The young adults can choose to be legislators, who are responsible for introducing, debating, and voting on bills. There are attorneys who research and argue cases both orally and in writing. They can be a lobbyist, whose job it is to persuade others on which way to vote.
And for those students involved in the press corps, they are responsible for reporting on the happenings of the assembly through a daily publication.
This year, Hannah Adams, a junior at South Fork High School, will be running for governor. She will campaign and try to make an impression on over 500 of her peers at the assembly so that they vote her in for this distinguished role.
“As governor, I want to add a dash of vitamin C to this program that I love and appreciate so much. The c’s I want to address are communication, competence, and companionship. I want to better communication between chapters in order to expand the program even more,” Adams explained.
“I want to be competent and trustworthy; someone whom other delegates can look up to. Also, I want to further companionship between delegates. The friendships I’ve made in this program have brought me out of my shell and given me so much. I believe it is an important element to this program,” said Adams.
Adams even made orange ribbons to hand out over the weekend so that her peers are reminded of her “Dash of Vitamin C” platform. Her duties as governor would include organizing next year’s state assembly, presiding in cabinet during mock legislation, and participating in community service projects.
“This is only our Y’s third year attending the State Assembly. We are planning on taking at least 64 young people and are already one of the largest delegations in the state,” said Christina Wood, the Y of the Treasure Coast’s Youth in Government Program Director.
Currently, the students have to pay for their individual trip to Tallahassee. With a cost of approximately $350 per person, it is a hardship for some of the students to participate.
The Y is looking for sponsors in order to ensure all of their participants will be able to experience the State Assembly and see the product of the work that they contributed to all year long.
If you are interested in sponsoring one of these distinguished youth, please contact Christina Wood at (772) 286-4444 or by email at CWood@YMCATreasureCoast.org.
