The University Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University conducts research in six main areas of youth civic engagement. An article from Tufts University shares findings from a post-2020 election CIRCLE survey for teens ages 14-17. Researchers learned that the age group actively creates and shares political content online, developing their own political voice in public conversations.
The YMCA of the Suncoast Youth in Government (YIG) teens took their political conversations offline to further develop their political voice and participated in the annual Student YMCA State Assembly in Tallahassee February 22-24, 2023.
Florida YIG Students Making a Change
Approximately 30 high school junior and senior students from Lecanto High School and members of the YMCA of the Suncoast Association YIG program attended the State Assembly. To build and develop their political voice, the teens put on a model government process with other YIG teens from the state of Florida.
Austin Purinton, a junior at Lecanto High School shared, “It’s a real, professional environment, and it feels like we’re actual adults doing something important.”
Serving Today, Leading Tomorrow
YIG, at all grade levels, is a program to help students understand that in order to lead you must first learn how to serve others. Since 1936, the YMCA YIG program has given students around the county the opportunity to serve as part of a youth-run, youth-led model government process.
The Florida YMCA YIG program was founded in 1957, and since then, the YIG teen delegates have written legislation on state issues that affect their families, schools, YMCAs and communities.
Students who participate in the judicial branch of the government even bring bills before the Florida Supreme Court. Benjamin Zybell, a Lecanto High School junior, was one of the students who presented a case to the Supreme Court at this year’s State Assembly.
Benjamin shares, “It was the real Supreme Court but with student justices. We spent countless hours researching and writing briefs, and it was the first time all of us made it to the Supreme Court. We didn’t win, but we did really [well].”
Wayne (Gary) Williams, program director at the Citrus County YMCA, attended the 2023 state assembly with his group of YIG teens. Gary shares that many of the teens aren’t interested in a career in politics; however, they are interested in being informed and educated voters. Participating in YIG provides the teens with hands-on experience making decisions on bills they are passionate about.
To learn more about YIG and the Junior YIG, which will be offered at the Citrus County YMCA this fall, please contact gwilliams@suncoastymca.org.
Published Wednesday, March 29, 2023