Introducing the Texas Delegation Youth Advocates

Each year, two students are selected to participate in the YMCA Youth Advocate Program at National Advocacy Days in March. This program is designed for students who are passionate about advocating on behalf of the Y’s agenda in support of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Students spend three days in Washington D.C. meeting with policymakers to advance these causes. Meet this year’s Youth Advocates representing Texas: Diomarvellous Nsofor and Grayson Winchester.

Diomarvellous Nsofor

Please list some of your YG related accomplishments.

Throughout my time with Youth and Government, I have been privileged to promote youth civic awareness and engagement within our community, attend the Conference on National Affairs, and most importantly, hold an office seat as the State Affairs Forum chair.

What motivated you to apply for the Youth Advocate Program?

As an immigrant in a predominantly minority community, I constantly advocate for change in many different sectors. Even though I find advocating for change within my community and local legislature to be very essential, I have always been in search of ways to increase the scope of lives that can be bettered through advocacy and I believe that National Advocacy Days would help immensely.

As a Youth Advocate, you will engage in hands-on advocacy training. What topics are you passionate about advocating for on behalf of the Y?

On behalf of the Y, I am extremely passionate about advocating for issues affecting our youth, such as increasing civic engagement within the youth and promoting secondary education within minority communities to eliminate cyclical poverty.

Grayson Winchester

Please list some of your YG related accomplishments.

I have served as President of my school’s Youth and Government club. I’ve also been an attorney for one of my school’s mock trial teams for 3 years qualifying twice for District Court. This year, on top of helping lead my own team, I am also working with and mentoring three other mock trial teams in my club.

What motivated you to apply for the Youth Advocate Program?

The YMCA has played such a key role in my development as a citizen and leader. I joined my local Y’s swim team in 7th grade and went on to become involved in Youth and Government as a sophomore. It’s given my the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone on so many levels, allowing me to grow in areas I never would have thought possible. Very few organizations in our communities have all that the YMCA has to offer and it’s for that very reason I want to help continue that legacy by promoting awareness for the YMCA and it’s benefits among our nation’s leaders.

As a Youth Advocate, you will engage in hands-on advocacy training. What topics are you passionate about advocating for on behalf of the Y?

More than anything else, I’m passionate about the need for social responsibility among the youth in our culture. Our great nation gives us the right to express our beliefs in and outside of government. As a by-product, it is our responsibility as citizens to participate in the democracy of our nation; however, too often people are inhibited by apathy toward their ability to make a difference in our society. For this reason, I wish to advocate on behalf of the Y for opportunities, such as Youth and Government, that will grow interest and understanding of social responsibilities.

Join us in congratulating Diomarvellous and Grayson! We are so excited for them to have this opportunity and we can’t wait to see what great things they accomplish in Washington D.C.!