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Monthly Archives: September 2018

Meet Your Program Coordinator!

Meet Mikayla Mutscher, your Texas YG Program Coordinator! Mikayla is a current senior at the University of Texas at Austin studying Corporate Communication with a minor in Business Foundations. She joined the Texas YG state office in August and is excited to expand her professional experience through the program.

What drew you to Texas Youth and Government?

When I first heard about Texas Youth and Government, I immediately knew I wanted to be involved. I think this program is critical for middle school and high school students because it not only teaches them about government, but also how to be a more confident and independent person. Education about the function of government, and especially how to vote, is so important in today’s society and I believe this starts with our youth. Additionally, this program provides students with the confidence to express their opinions, the knowledge to communicate effectively, and the independence to explore societal issues they are passionate about.

What other internships have you had throughout college?

I interned with Susan G. Komen Austin as an Operations Intern in 2017 and with Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union as an Operations Intern this past summer (2018).

When you’re not busy with school and Texas YG, what do you do in your free time?

I volunteer with Susan G. Komen Austin on the Race for the Cure committee, I am a first-year student mentor for communication students at The University of Texas at Austin, I attend the Texas Longhorn football games, I play fetch with my pug puppy, and I enjoy trying new restaurants around Austin.

Share 3 fun facts about you.

I have two half-siblings, ages 4 and 8; I played the clarinet for 8 years throughout middle school and high school; and something on my bucket list is to travel to all 50 states!

Thank you for sharing, Mikayla! We’re very excited to have you on the Texas YG team.

2018-09-21T12:37:32-05:00September 21st, 2018|Uncategorized|0 Comments

School Profile: Fort Bend High School Delegation

In honor of the 2018-2019 program kicking off this fall, we’ve featured some of our YG clubs and their exciting accomplishments on our blog. Our final high school club in our profile series: Fort Bend High School Delegation in the Houston District! This club is unique in that it is not attached to one high school, and is made up of primarily home school students! Thanks to Ms. Amy Parkins for sharing her club’s experiences.

As an advisor, what initially drew you to YG? What keeps you motivated to support your students in the program?

I actually participated in YG as a high school student, so I was happy to take on that roll at my Y since I have positive memories from my high school experience. Now that I have been an advisor for some time, I would say that the students are what keep me motivated! I am constantly amazed by the students in my club. Their knowledge, speaking skills, leadership skills, and most importantly their character qualities make it a joy to be part of this program.

Share some of your club’s proudest YG-related accomplishments.

Our club’s most recent accomplishments come from our trial court teams. At the 2017 state conference we had the #1 trial court team as well as the #1 judge. That team went to the National Judicial Competition and placed 7th. At the 2018 state conference we had teams place 3rd in District Court, 2nd in County Court, and also had a judge placed 3rd in District Court. The 3rd place team went on to the National Judicial Competition where they placed 3rd in the nation. It has been exciting to watch our judicial students get rewarded for their hard work!

What topics are your students most interested in?

The students in my club will get excited about any topic they are able to debate. Our judicial group always enjoys when they get a chance to argue a murder trial.

What are some of the club’s goals for the 2018-2019 program year?

We would like to have a candidate from our club this year, and have a trial court team qualify for NJC.

Thanks for sharing, Amy! We’re so proud of your successes and can’t wait to see your accomplishments this year!

2018-09-19T13:51:02-05:00September 19th, 2018|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Happy Constitution Day!

Happy Constitution Day, Texas YG!! Today, September 17, 2018, marks the 231st anniversary of the end of the Constitutional Convention and signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. Thirty-nine delegates from twelve states signed this document which established the U.S. system of government as we know it today. Signers included George Washington and James Madison of Virginia, Alexander Hamilton of New York, and Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania. Our Constitution is the foundation of our Texas Youth and Government Program, as we strive to teach our students the inter working aspects of our legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Our Texas YG students not only study our governmental process outlined by the Constitution, they also serve as elected officials, judges, attorneys, lobbyists, and legislators. Additionally, our media students are able to exercise their First Amendment freedoms, granted in the Bill of Rights, with coverage of other delegates’ activities.

On behalf of the Texas YG state office, we ask you to join us in supporting our students in the spirit of Constitution Day through our fundraising campaign. Please visit our donate page to select your level of contribution to our valuable Texas YG program. Our festive donation levels will leave you feeling as official as our Constitutional Delegates.

Your gift will help our civic education and leadership training reach over 2,000 middle and high school students and over 160 school clubs throughout the state of Texas. Your generosity will provide financial assistance to these students and allow them to attend our district and state conferences and enhance their knowledge and leadership skills. We sincerely appreciate your support for the Texas Youth and Government Program and our students across the state.

2018-09-17T15:55:02-05:00September 17th, 2018|Uncategorized|0 Comments

School Profile: Creekview High School

In honor of the 2018-2019 program year kicking off this fall, we’ll be featuring some of our YG clubs and their exciting accomplishments on our blog over the next few weeks. Next up in our school profile series: Creekview High School in the Dallas District! Thanks to Mr. Jonathan Ray for sharing his and his club’s experiences.

As an advisor, what initially drew you to YG? What keeps you motivated to support your students in the program?

It’s hard to find competitive opportunities locally for Mock Trial and especially Moot Court (what YG calls Appellate). Competing usually involves out of state travel, which is cost prohibitive for some students and limits the number of students who are able to participate.

Share some of your club’s proudest YG-related accomplishments.

We’ve had Appellate teams qualify for Nationals every year (2nd in the nation one year), Mock Trial 4th place at Nationals, State Champion Appellate, and State Chief Justice.

What topics are your students most passionate about?

Mock Trial students prefer criminal trials. Appellate students love arguing the 1st and 4th Amendments.

What are some of the club’s goals for the 2018-2019 program year?

To qualify at least 2 teams for Nationals!

Creekview High School’s club currently has about 50 students in Trial and Appellate divisions. We hope to see you at Nationals this year, Creekview!

2018-09-10T13:52:01-05:00September 10th, 2018|Uncategorized|0 Comments
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