Montgomery, Alabama—Students representing three junior high schools (Centre, Cedar Bluff, and Sand Rock) recently attended the 31st annual Alabama YMCA statewide Junior Youth Legislature (JYL) conference, a student-led model program geared specifically to junior high students who show an interest in public speaking, debate, and the democratic process. Our students performed exceptionally well at the conference which hosts students from all over Alabama, including many model and private schools. These students attended and were recognized for their outstanding work:
OUTSTANDING STATESMAN AWARD
- Audry Ray (CB)
- Reese Lambert (CMS)
- Raegan Tallent (CMS)
- Olivia Goss (CB)
ELECTED OFFICERS
- Abby Garmany (CMS) served as the Presiding Officer
- Reese Lambert (CMS) served as the Chaplain
- Reagan Tallent (CMS) served as Assistant Floor Leader
HIGH-RANKING BILLS (Top 10)
- #1 An Act to Increase the Starting Salary of Teachers by Reese Lambert (CMS) and A.J. Lemons (CMS)
- #3 An Act to Mandate Extra-curricular Activities for Students in Alabama Public Schools by Jozalyn Woodall, Reagan Tallent, and Olivia Goss
- #4 An Act to Improve Mental Health in Alabama Public Schools by Anna Morris (CMS) and Ava Hammett (CMS)
- #8 An Act to Provide Funding for Hospitals Caring for Uninsured Patients by Abby Garmany
WHAT HAPPENS AT JUNIOR YOUTH LEGISLATURE?
At Junior Youth Legislature, students experience the legislative process firsthand through activities which include officer elections as well as workshops on bill writing and parliamentary procedure. مواقع قمار Participants also join with others to come up with their own legislation (a bill) which may then be presented and debated as part of the mock-legislative session. The program also helps junior high students prepare for their eventual participation in the high school Youth Legislature program.
WHAT IS YOUTH GOVERNMENT?
Junior Youth Legislature is just one of many opportunities provided by the Alabama YMCA Youth-in-Government program. Other opportunities include Youth Judicial (mock trial competition), Youth Legislature (high school), Conference on National Affairs (National Youth Legislature), Youth in City, and numerous leadership retreats including the Christian Values Conference (summer camp). YIG instills servant leadership qualities while teaching students the democratic process—building character and leadership in an environment that emphasizes the YMCA’s four core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
The YMCA Youth Government experience also provides participants with a unique opportunity for networking and community that promotes understanding of the challenges that individuals face, acceptance of defeat without discouragement, and tolerance towards points of view different than their own. اربح المال Participants are encouraged to step outside of their comfort zone, meet new people, try new things, and keep an open mind. مواقع المراهنات 
