This is the second entry in a three-part miniseries on the 66th Washington state YMCA Youth Legislature, which met recently here in the state capital. About 350 delegates traveled to the Capitol Campus in Olympia for the 2014 legislative-gathering of high-school and middle-school students.
Mary Pryor is a teacher and Youth Legislature adviser at Dayton High School and coordinates the Youth Legislature’s eastern Washington region.
“In my 15 years with Youth & Government,” Pryor said, “I’ve found that the program provides students an opportunity to interact with other young people from all over the state and from all walks of life. Youth & Government [Y&G] helps them realize that kids everywhere share similar interests and concerns, and it gives them a chance to communicate their individual perspectives. A much higher percentage of Youth & Government students pursue a four-year degree than the state average. Any program that promotes education either directly or indirectly is a worthwhile endeavor in my book!”
Guy Spalinger is a senior at Dayton High School, and he’s been involved in Youth & Government for all four of his high-school years. He has served twice as vice chair of a Youth & Government committee, and this year he served as a member of the Youth Governor’s cabinet.
“To me, Youth & Government is more than a group or club,” said Spalinger. “It’s a place where I can be myself; a place where I’m allowed to express how I feel, and to speak on government issues that are important to me. I feel that the program is a second home — where even if I disagree with someone on a topic, I can calmly and maturely argue my point without being judged.”
Etta Huwe is also a senior at Dayton, where she is the ASB President this year. Like Spalinger, she’s been in the Youth Legislature for four years. Huwe has served as a Youth committee chair, and she’s been in charge of the Eighth Grade Senate.
“Youth & Government is the best club I’ve ever joined,” Huwe stated. “I learned so much about how a legislature works in my four years of service. My first year I had no idea what I was doing at the mock legislature. But once the session started, I learned how to debate, which is a skill that will stay with me forever. I made so many amazing and unique friends from all over Washington who I will never forget. I love Youth & Government, and I’m very sad that this was my last year.”
View Part I of this series here, and stay tuned for Part III. We’ll review the storied state and national history of the program.