Five Youth and Government Delegates Elected to State Youth Legislature
Youth delegates from the YMCA of Snohomish County recently participated in the 74th Youth Legislature, a 4-day conference bringing together students from across Washington State to participate in a mock legislative session. At the culmination of the event, delegates were elected for positions in the 75th Youth Legislature. Five delegates were elected to Major Officer Positions.
“I am beyond proud of all of the students in our program and seeing their success is why I enjoy what I do,” said Nolan Martin, Youth Development Director at the Mill Creek Family YMCA. “All five elected students have been part of the Youth and Government (YAG) program since their 8th grade year.”
The following Mill Creek Y delegates were elected for the 75th Youth Legislature Session: Terra Pilch-Bisson, Governor, Vidushi Gautam, Lieutenant Governor, Audrey Elwood, Speaker of the House, Heather Mimikos, Chief Lobbyist Executive, and Ann Duan, Editor in Chief of the Press.
Youth and Government is a program that brings students in grades 8-12 together to discuss current events and issues important to them and their community, while developing their public speaking, leadership, and debate skills. The program culminates with Youth Legislature, the annual, state-wide conference that brings students together from all over the state to conduct a real legislative session.
This year’s Youth Legislature was held virtually, but still operated similar to an in-person session. Delegates participated in committee debate and floor sessions in hopes to pass a number of bills presented to the legislature. The YMCA of Snohomish County delegation presented seven bills and six of them were passed and signed.
“We had an amazing experience at this year’s Youth Legislature and I can’t wait to see how these students shine next year,” said Martin. “We are only getting started.”
To learn about the Youth and Government program, please visit: ymca-snoco.org/programs/youth-and-government. Registration opens for the 2021-22 school year on September 1, 2021.