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Meet Maddy, Social Media Editor from Austin, TX!

What do you see as some key roles for social media in today’s world?

Media protects the public’s best interest and creates public awareness.  I believe an educated society is an informed society, and media is a main mode of communication. Media truly is the fourth pillar of democracy.  It keeps the other three branches in check. Social media is no different.  In fact, it is one of the most direct means of delivering information because of its global accessibility and mobile viewing.  It provides information in real time and has encouraged youth participation in politics.

Any parts of the Conference you’re especially excited to cover?

I am excited to cover the governorship race.  This year media officers will be writing profiles on the candidates.  I really enjoy feature writing and portraiture so I am looking forward to that.  I also enjoy editing, so as a media editor I look forward to looking over everyone’s posts even though I will miss being on the Capitol and Courthouse grounds covering in real time.

What are your goals for the social media section this year?

I hope to brief media delegates with mini lessons on some journalistic standards so our postings across platforms seem like they are from the same source. I want each writer to have their own voice, of course, but it is also important to have continuity so the way our information is presented is professional.

What are your post-graduation plans?

After high school I plan on studying environmental engineering and sustainability. I am very interested in water conservation and waste management. I also want to continue photography as a hobby. The schools I am interested in range from six miles from my house to 1,870 miles away. I’m a bit of a scatter plot but the whole process is very exhilarating.

Thanks Maddy!  You definitely convinced us of the power of social media.  We hope you’ve enjoyed reading our 2017-2018 officer profiles!

Happy Halloween, Texas YG!  As District Conferences draw nearer, we wanted to remind our students and advisors of our approaching deadlines and opportunities.

• The State Office’s individual registration form will close November 6, 2017.  Your District may have an earlier registration deadline, but please make sure your form is in before the State’s deadline passes to avoid the $25 late registration fee you will need to pay if you register after this date.
• Don’t forget about our CONA intent to apply!  Students interested in attending the Conference on National Affairs should let us know before their District Conferences using this form so they can receive priority during the application review process.
• Now’s your chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card!  If you haven’t done so already, please complete the pre-program survey to help us ensure Texas YG provides high-quality programming.  10 lucky winners will be randomly selected from the group of students who complete the survey by November 6!
• If your parent/guardian has not yet completed a paper or electronic authorization, please ask him or her to check for a reminder email from the State Office.  If no email has arrived, please contact Molly Martin and let her know a parent/guardian email address to which she can resend the authorization email.  We may have the wrong email for your parent/guardian in our system.
• Make sure you’re getting your briefs, bills, proposals, and media assignments in by your District deadlines!

Please note that our forms submission platform, Form Assembly, has experienced technological difficulties over the past week.  We hope the issue is now resolved and apologize for any issues you’ve encountered.  If you have trouble with any of our forms, please keep reloading and trying to submit your information.  Thank you!

Meet Baylee Farris, the 2017-2018 Broadcast Executive Producer!  This year’s Media program features new curriculum, assignments, and key roles for media participants in overall conference coverage and fair coverage of candidates.  We’re excited to have Baylee at the helm and to see her on camera!

What draws you to broadcast media specifically?

I love to tell stories so speaking is much easier than writing. I also love to work with technology, and broadcast media gives me the best opportunity to do both.

What do you hope your broadcast section will achieve during this Texas YG program year?

I hope my team will learn how much effort and time goes into even a small clip. I also hope that they will be proud of what they make.

What are your future career and educational plans?

I’m very unsure about my future actually. I will most likely pursue something in either history or mass communications.

When you’re not busy with YG and school, what would we find you doing?

I really don’t get much free time between being stage manager for my school play and interning at my local radio station, but I always make time to listen to my music.

Thank you, Baylee!  We’re so glad you include Texas YG in your busy schedule.

Read below to learn more about Jordan Clements, your 2017-2018 Texas YG High School Lt. Governor!

What are some key issues you have tackled in your past bills and proposals?

Some key issues I have tackled in my previous bills and proposals include Welfare Reform, Participation Awards, Campaign Finance, Vigilantism, Hardening the Power Grid, and, most recently, Whistle Blowing.

Share a little bit about your experience attending CONA earlier this year.

Besides my proposal not getting past first committee, I had an amazing time at CONA. On top of doing well enough to get the Outstanding Statesman award, I had an amazing time reuniting with old friends and meeting new friends from Texas and throughout the rest of the nation. The only thing that bugged me about CONA was that the DJ kept remixing songs together at the dance (but that’s not really something of too much concern when you’re with your closest friends).

What other extracurricular activities do you enjoy?  Fun facts you want to share?

Aside from YG and other Congressional Debate forums, I enjoy Extemporaneous Speaking, Stu Co, and Marching Band.  I consider myself a mega-nerd in many respects such as history, economics, current events, politics, comic book movies, and Star Wars.

What are your educational and career plans moving forward?

Moving forward, I hope to get a doctorate in economics and become an economics professor/researcher in the likes of Milton Friedman or Thomas Sowell. Later in life, I also hope to go into government for real and, hopefully, become President if I am so lucky to have such an honor bestowed upon me!

We love to hear about our students’ ambitions and the ways Texas YG inspires their future plans! Thanks, Jordan!

As our program year begins, we want you to get to know your Texas YG High School officers!  Check back each week for a profile of one of these esteemed delegates.  First up:  Youth Governor Sharif Long!

What are some key issues you hope to highlight during your term as Governor?

Running for governor, my platform focused on the values of transparency, equality, and legacy. Within the program, I hope to continue to work with the State Office so that these values are exhibited in all things we do. As a delegate within the program, I’ve always noticed the harmony amongst delegates, as they respect the viewpoints of others. I want to continue to promote statesmanship at all YG conferences so that delegates understand to debate ideas, not the person.

Politics within our country have become polarized through recent events, and I hope that in our Youth Legislature, we can prove that our generation are not the leaders of tomorrow but of today, tackling and working together to resolve controversial issues such as immigration, criminal justice reform, education, health, and the environment. Often I feel as though we as passionate teenagers should actively reach out to our elected officials and initiate change within our communities and state.

Share a little bit about your experience attending the Governors’ Conference earlier this year.

The Youth Governors’ Conference is unlike any other conference I’ve experienced. Truly, this experience has helped me to have a better understanding of my role as the Texas Youth Governor and how best to execute my ideas for the growth and development of the program for the well-being of all its volunteers and participants. The most interesting part about Gov Con is its secretive elements, so I’m afraid I can’t give it all away! I can tell you that I met 44 of the brightest young minds in America who challenged me to be the best version of myself for the improvement of our Texas YG program and society. It was amazing to gain insight about how different all of our programs are and become empowered by our many differences.

What traits do you admire in other leaders?

I think John C. Maxwell describes a leader best: “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” At Gov Con, I had the opportunity to room with Daven Turner, Youth Governor of Missouri. His warm hugs and genuine interest in getting to know his peers were things that all of the fellow members of my Gov Class admired most about him. Although he may be gone, his legacy lives on! Many leaders can have competence, but without a genuine interest in the people they serve, it’s difficult for leaders to understand where to take them and how to lead in a way to show followers the end result.  This is the trait that Daven showcased best. Empowerment speaks volumes about a leader’s humility and helps others add value to the people they encounter, launching a “ripple effect.”

What are your educational and career plans moving forward?

I plan to apply to…the University of Texas at Austin for sure! Although government and politics have become a passion of mine, I’ve always wanted to have a career where I can serve people in some type of capacity. Combined with my interest in science, I’d like to major in Biology. Since I’m interested in going to medical school, I can major in anything as long as I take my prerequisite courses so music, history, and ethics have also been possible options. I’ve

Registration for Texas YG 2017-2018 is officially live!  Students who have previously participated in Texas YG should have received an email from the Texas YG State Office containing their unique registration links.  Please check all your email folders (or your parent/guardian’s if you registered using their email address last year) to make sure this email doesn’t get lost!  If you’re a returning student and can’t find your email after checking all folders, contact the State Office and we’ll be happy to help.  Please reach out–it’s very important you use your unique link!

Friendly reminder:  please use your school’s full name rather than an abbreviation. The majority of schools are listed on the registration form and affiliated with a specific YMCA branch.  You should only type in your school’s name if you can’t find it under any of the YMCA branches in your district.

New students can register here.  Advisors, look out for an email from the State Office with information about your own and students’ registration links within the next few days.  All participants can refer to the registration instructions on our Resource Portal for further information.  We’re excited to get you registered and kick off the year!

We’re also excited that our Resource Portal has gotten a makeover!  The Legislative, SAF, and Candidates sections are up-to-date with 2017-2018 program materials.  Read through the updates and reminders pages to learn about changes and get prepped for the upcoming year!  Media content will be updated by the end of the week, and the State Office is working on preparing Judicial materials as quickly as possible.  Keep checking back for updated content, and we appreciate your patience and participation!