Experience

By far the most unique and exciting part of my YAG experience has been serving as Oregon's Youth Advocate. Part of the national YMCA Youth and Government programming includes the Youth Advocates program, which you can read more about here. I got to attend virtually my sophmore year of high school (yes, during the pandemic), and then virtually again the February of my junior year. I was also intending on attending in person in Washington DC in the June of my junior year, but unfortunately I got sick and was unable to attend. However, I was able to send written statements that were shared, which was very unique and special to me. I would highly encourage anyone who feels passionately about youth voice to look into the Youth Advocates Program; it is one of my favorite things to talk about, so if anyone is interested please ask away!

I served as a bill-writing delegate for the past two years, and this will be my third. Previously, I wrote a bill relating to free menstrual products in public places and relating to requiring a 4-day school week. This year, I am planning on writing about Covid-19 vaccines.

House Measure 216: Relating to a Required 4-Day School Week was awarded the William T. "Doc" McLean Master Measure Award.

My favorite part about the legislative process while serving as a delegate is the bill writing process, and then I enjoy the technical aspects of debate, when we are able to discuss the legislative impacts of a specific measure. I am very excited to be able to discuss measures with you all in the upcoming weeks.

This past summer, I was lucky enough to be chosen to attend the YMCA Conference on National Affairs in North Carolina. Previously, I was able to attend virtually the summer before. CONA is practically indescribable ... picture this conference on a massive scale, with even more people and debate and on national issue instead of state.

I wrote policy on Voter Registration my first year, and on Congressional Reapportionment my second year. I also was chosen to give a speech at Plenary (which is the section of the Conference that everyone attends together) on Modern Redlining.

I credit CONA with much of my appreciation for the variety of people that participate in politics. My empathy and desire to see everyone represented was increased after this experience, and being able to bring that back to Oregon YAG and the other programs that I am leading within school and theatre has been an opportunity and a blessing that I will forever be grateful for.

As customary, the unsucessful Youth Governor Candidate is appointed to serve on the Program Committee as an additional youth voice. This year, my role was updated to a voting member of the committee. For me, this means that I listen to you and what you desire from the program and the conference, as well as bring up things that I have seen other programs do. I also get to come up with fun games for us to play :) I have had the privilege of leading some info sessions, making instagram posts, and discussing the upcoming conference alongside Caroline (our wonderful Youth Governor) and the other members of the program committee.

Last year, I was appointed to serve as Chief Clerk of the Senate, due to shortages in those interested in running for the position. This required management of Trello and the docket, as well as being able to work with our Former President of the Senate, Cleome Jones, on how to keep the Senate moving and productive. I have experience helping to manage a chamber, and I am excited for the possibility to do so again.

For those of you who are not familiar, pages were used before Covid when we were in person in the capital. They were responsible for running messages between people and different chambers. It was the perfect introduction for me into the system of how we opperate, and I was able to see the responsibilies of each position from a very unique perspective. I am bummed that pages are no longer a part of our system - though Trello is fantastic! - because it was such a perfect introduction into the program for me. However, I think it is great that first year participants have the opportunity to be a delegate right off the bat! I am excited for all of our first year delegates and all they will learn.