Hillcrest sent 15 students to Columbia to participate in the YMCA’s annual Youth in Government (YIG for short) program. The four-day conference focuses on teaching students about the three branches of government and encouraging them to participate in democracy. Students write and argue on bills, take part in a mock trial, or even run for office. We spoke to three students who attended the conference to learn more about the program and their experience at YIG.
First, we spoke to Sawyer Beamish, a sophomore who won Outstanding Statesman, an award given to students who participate in the legislative process at YIG and give outstanding speeches for or against other bills. On the legislative side, Hillcrest had one bill signed by the Youth Governor.
Sawyer said his role at YIG was, “ A legislature in the Premier House.” Premiere House and Senate are students taking part in YIG for the first time while returning students are Upper House and Senate.
Sawyer said that he joined YIG because he is interested in politics and wants to get more involved.
Sawyer expressed that his favorite part of YIG was, “Defeating bills in committee or generally speaking on bills”. Defeating bills refers to speaking against bills you believe should not pass, this can be for a variety of reasons such as the bill being unnecessary or too expensive.
Next, we interviewed Alex Lynes, a senior who attended YIG this year in a Leadership position. Leadership positions in YIG include many roles namely, presiders, party leaders, and and now lobbyists.
Alex described his role as, “At YIG I was a committee chair…In that role, I helped out with chairing a committee and managing debate on the floor of the committee. Just helping out with the proceedings of the committee and passing and failing bills. Managing the bill tracking system and making sure everything was in order and maintaining decorum on the floor, making sure delegates were behaving.”
When asked why he joined YIG Alex said, “I love government and politics so much, it’s one of my biggest interests and I want to involve myself in government one day..and YIG gave me that opportunity to express myself.”
Alex said he while at the conference he learned “a lot about unity and camaraderie between delegates and putting our differences aside especially since this conference was the day after the national election… We live in a very polarized society, and YIG is an opportunity to do the opposite of that and bring people together regardless of differences. YIG has a program that fosters community and teamwork and I think that’s important.”
As a returning student, Alex said his favorite part of YIG was “getting the opportunity to help lead, help chair the committee, help be a part of the leadership team, and be a part of an opportunity where I can be entrusted with responsibility…other than that meeting new people from different schools.”
Alex would tell students who want to join YIG next year, “You get a chance to learn about the democratic process that runs our government.. YIG is for everyone whether you’re into politics, whether you’re not into politics there’s a place for everyone at YIG.”
Lastly, interviewed Preston Phillips, a freshman who was a member of Hillcrest’s first-ever mock trial team. The mock trial team consisted of six students and won all three of their rounds while at the conference. Another member of the mock trial team, Lila Heuvelink, won an award for best witness.
Preston describes his role at YIG as, “A mock trial delegate…I go to mock trials, I get a role as a witness or an attorney. For witnesses, you get asked questions from your own team and you get cross-examined by the other team. As an attorney, you are the one who’s giving those direct questions and crossing the other team.” According to Preston, a mock trial lasts ”an hour to an hour-and-a-half, depending on how many objections are made and how long your opening and closing statements are.”
Preston responded that he joined YIG because, I had a lot of friends that were previously in it and I was encouraged to. They said it was a fun time and it was.”
Preston said he learned more about “politics, and how the judicial system works, and how much you can grow and meet people and be friends.”
His favorite part was, “Meeting new people and talking to them, you meet a lot of cool people and you can talk and become friends.”
Youth in Government gives students a new way to explore interests in government and politics or even just meet new people. All three of our interviewees expressed their fond feelings towards and memories of the conference and advised anyone interested to join. As stated earlier, Hillcrest had a successful conference with having 1 bill signed by the Youth Governor, 1 bill making it through committee and chamber, and 1 bill making it through committee and House as well as Sawyer Beamish winning Outstanding Statesman. On the judicial side, mock trial won all three of their rounds at the team’s very first YIG outing, and Lila Heuvelink won best witness. There is a lot to be taken away from the program. Any interested students should make sure to sign up next year.
