YGMedia

By Kathryn Horton

Jordan Clements, Jack C. Hays High school delegate, was actively campaigning for governor of Youth and Government tonight in the grand ball room. What you don’t know about Clements is that he has a much larger goal. Since Clements was ten years old he has aspired to become President of the United States of America.

Clements’ long and challenging journey to become President starting with YG governor began with Youth and Government. It has aided Clements in getting his name out and has been what he believes to be his biggest preparation in running for president. Youth and Government has helped Clements grow dramatically as a person by becoming more outgoing, more friendly, and ultimately a better speaker; all of which he believes will be helpful in his presidential campaign.One of the first steps in Clement’s journey to become President began

One of the first steps in Clement’s journey to become President began with his campaign for YG governor. Clements wants to run for President for the same reason that he wants to run for governor of Texas Youth and Government, because he “see

By: Willow Dalehite

In stark contrast to the professionalism of the first day of the Youth and Government competition, the Friday Night Social offered many opportunities for delegates to make friends, get out of their comfort zone, and have fun. In the Grand Ballroom, a couple hundred delegates gathered to observe and participate in a karaoke in which students lip synced, sang along to songs, rapped, danced, and sang acapella.

Students of all kinds stood up in front of the crowd, in groups varying in size from a small crowd like the group Acafella, to solo acts like the acapella-singing Cassandra. Alicia belted out a rendition of “Burn”, and Keira Neal and Julie Apagya-Bonney even led the crowd in a rendition of the ABCs. “It’s an easy song and it’s very simple,” Keira said, “And you can do a beat to anything, you know?”

Despite the fact that many of the delegates met each other for the first time during this conference, Keira and other performers felt comfortable connecting and performing with new people. “It’s fun. Anything is fun. I just want to be interactive and participate,” she said.

The Social marks a continuation of the friendships forged during the competition, in which people can socialize with each other in all sorts of settings. Keira’s favorite aspect of the conference so far has been “getting to interact with new people and getting to see all the different faces from around Texas.”

Indeed, the different faces of the conference are expressed through varying tastes in music and dance. Performers in the Grand Ballroom raised their arms to the beat, danced as partners and spun each other around, called out to the audience, and encouraged all the delegates to dance, sway, or sing along. The smiling faces that could be seen in the room, though they came from different places, sang together, danced together and simply enjoyed each other’s company.

By; Nettie Comerford

Jackie Galvan, a junior at the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders in Austin, Texas, enjoys running and playing volleyball. Galvan also loves her dogs, “I like playing with my dogs, they are the best thing that has happened in my life. There names are Memphis and Petry, they’re Chihuahua Mixes,” Galvan said.

Galvan is very involved in her academics, especially in competitions like Youth and Government. “I’ve been doing Youth and Government for two years now. I like that I get to meet new people every time. I get to make new friends and make new relationships. It’s really great to see faces I saw in previous years,” Galvan said.

Although Galvan enjoys the competition she is unsure of whether or not government work is something she is interested in professionally. “I wasn’t too fancy of it at first but I’m starting to like it a little more. It’s pretty debatable to me, I’ll see what life gives me,” Galvan said.

Each year Galvan has participated as a delegate in State of Affairs. “I’m in State of Affairs, which means that we take an issue that is happening in Texas right now and we try to make a proposal as to how we as students are going to fix it,” Galvan said. This year Galvan participated within a group. “This year me and my partner Savannah Gonzales worked on trying to figure out how to fix the campus carry law that has been passed in August. It’s the one thing that has happened recently that has changed how I think about safety and how we protect our schools. Campus carry is very interesting to me, and I really like debating about this topic,” Galvan said. Galvan is worried about attending a campus that allows open carry. “I’m honestly scared to go to a university where there are no clear regulations for people who are going to be older than 21. My safety is important to me and I thought sharing my opinions with others could make a difference and this is a topic that has affected a lot of lives,” Galvan said.

Galvan was very excited to take a break from work to enjoy a night with her friends at the social event. “I’m really hoping to make new friends and also get to hang out with my friends from school.”

The importance of media in government 

By: Kyle Gehman

Over the past year, the media has been under scrutiny from the POTUS, Donald Trump, as well as other politicians and members of society. Journalists have been called ‘among the most dishonest humans being on earth’ by the President and booed by Americans while they perform their job. However, now more than ever, it is more of a duty than a job for the media to inform the people about the news.

During this age of journalism, new platforms are being used to reach audiences through the likes of social media outlets such as Snapchat, Twitter and Facebook. This has increased readership of the news but at the same time it has promoted the spread of fake news. In Washington D.C., a fake news story about a Hillary Clinton led sex-trafficking ring, drew a man to a pizza place with a semi-automatic weapon to self-investigate what was going on. Stories like these have misinformed the public and created more of a distrust in the media nationwide. So, why is it important for news agencies to continue reporting?

Despite increasing pressure, it is essential for journalists to continue their work because everyone deserves the truth. Controversial topics whether it is the election, a police shooting, or even a controversial YG bill must be covered because the public must understand what is going on around them, with world and national events and issues that are going to affect them, and they must be well informed. These stories and reports help inform the public so they can form opinions, and help show what may need to be fixed. Reporters are the watchdog for all of society. They look for injustice to expose. They investigate how Americans will be affected. They give insight so that others can learn.

Without the press, our elections wouldn’t work the same because the only information voters had would be from the candidates. Without the press, businesses and their products would not be held to the same high standards of honesty, respect and reliability. And without the press, issues concerning race or prejudice would not be revealed to the nation. Without the press, the United States wouldn’t be what it is today.

Here at the Youth and Government State Conference, the consequences of the media is significantly less but with the combination of the print, social and broadcast media, delegates may learn about candidates running for office, about what bills are being debated and what is going on during the entire Youth and Government conference. Media delegates here are the future of journalists, and it is important that they and everyone else understand their important role in the democratic system. They are the next in line to promote justice and freedom for all Americans.

By: Faith Pawley

With students on the go and people rushing onto buses, they need a portable and light lunch. The choices given today were roast beef sandwiches in boxes and turkey pita wraps in brown bags. They seem pretty standard, but how healthy are they?

First, the turkey pita wraps contained thin turkey slices, romaine lettuce leaves, cheddar cheese and a light mayonnaise. The sides included plain Lays chips and a Granny Smith apple. This light, yet compact, lunch provides a very balanced diet.

“Eating foods like turkey that are high in protein help to increase the feeling of satiety and make you feel fuller longer.” – MedicialNewsToday.com says. “Getting enough protein ensures maintenance of lean muscle mass and can keep insulin levels stable after meals.”

Turkey pita wraps can vary in calorie count, but a normal wrap will consist of about 345 calories. The whole meal was packaged in a brown bag and the wrap was individually wrapped in a clear slip. This meal was sponsored by Jason’s Deli and was served to the County Court, Media and other delegates that remained at the hotel for the day. However, the delegates headed to the Capital received an alternative boxed lunch. The wrap for the YAG delegates had approximately 50 calories, the apple contained 80 calories and the chips had 240 calories. Therefore, the total calorie count was 470 calories in the bagged lunch.

The boxed lunch, also from Jason’s Deli, had a roast beef sandwich, a white chocolate chip and raisin cookie, a pickle and Lays chips. Their lunch was a little more complex and heavier in protein.

“Roast beef from lean cuts of beef is low in fat, rich in protein and loaded with beneficial minerals.” Healthyeating.sfgate.com says.  “Roast beef from a lean cut, such as a round or chuck, is naturally low in calories.”

Roast beef by itself is usually 50 calories, but in a sandwich the count goes up to 150 to 200. The pickle contained 7 calories, the chips 240 and the cookie had 87 calories. The total count was 484 calories.

Both lunches were quick, easy, portable and light. They were high in protein, but also in calories. When comparing the two total calorie count of both lunches, the turkey pita wraps were the healthier option over the roast beef sandwich.

By Sidarth Joshi

Governor Kennedy made the decision to eject the reporter covering his cabinet meeting. Kennedy was within his power to take this step, however his decision to do so was questionable. According to New York Times reporter Carol Giacomo, the media has the duty of holding politicians responsible for their actions. If the media is neutralized, the political elite have free reign over the process of government. Giacomo noted this in a recent article stating that, “….given that the Founders enshrined a free press and free speech in the First Amendment…the United States has long served as the premier international advocate of those sacred principles.”

This situation is being mirrored in the outside world as politicians are attempting to dictate the role of the press. Several governor candidates stated that they were opposed to the practice of excluding the media in cabinet meetings. Candidate Jordan Clements stated, “it is a misrepresentation because when a real governor signs a bill the media are always there, but it is also discriminating against the media.” Candidate Sharif Long also stated that he thought it was “wrong.”

The governor’s cabinet began its meeting in the regular fashion with a breakfast in the Treehouse Kitchen. Lobbyists were also included. After the meal, the candidates for governor were given a chance to address the cabinet about their campaigns. Several candidates reiterated their speeches at the campaign rally and added remarks about how their platforms would affect the cabinet.

The governor’s cabinet then began to debate the merits of different Senate bills which had been passed in committee. About five minutes into this process, Kennedy asked the media to leave the area; we have no further information about this part of the cabinet meeting at present. Kennedy and his cabinet moved to the senate press office in the capitol where he began to gather information from the different chambers. The media was once again excluded from this meeting. The question we must ask ourselves is whether the deliberate exclusion of the press is in following with the first amendment right to freedom of the press. At present, it does not seem likely.

Delegate looks to arm police with rubber bullets 

By: Kyle Gehman

Dilan Patel from the Robert E Lee High School delegation had his bill, about requiring police officers to carry a gun containing rubber bullets on themselves in addition to the typical lead bullets, put down in the Senate Chamber today.

“If this bill pases it has two objectives, to protect and to serve,” Patel said. “It is absolutely vital that you pass this bill in support of our officers. They need tools in their belt so they can effectively accomplish their business. I implore all of you to vote for solving our officers biggest problems and to ensure that the State of Texas supports them.”

This bill was created so to protect citizens from being dispersed or capacitated less lethally than the normal handgun held lead bullets do. According to the Washington Post, in 2016 there were 963 deaths at the hands of police officers. 82 of which were in Texas which is the second highest rate in the entire country. If officers refuse to carry the required two extra cartridges of rubber bullets, they could be temporarily suspended. Patel hoped that these measures would bring the death rate down.

“I think it depends from case to case,” Brianna Branscomb said. “Using rubber bullets would be a great thing as we have seen in this previous year that there are often needless deaths at the hands of officers. If the suspect isn’t an immediate threat to anyone’s life, then use rubber bullets for sure. There is no reason to kill someone for resisting arrest. But if the situation requires the use of actual bullets as the suspect is an immediate threat to someone’s life, then it is appropriate in that case. Yes, I would wholeheartedly support this bill.”

Opponents brought to attention the fact that rubber bullets still have the potential to cause death and serious injuries as well as not always being an effective way in apprehending the subject being pursued. Sharjeel Mohammad also brought up the point that this bill could aid in the targeting of law enforcement officers.”

“The bill has good intentions, however, people have to notice and understand that there’s a large war on cops and if you go to some areas such as south Dallas, if people know the cops are carrying rubber bullets they are more susceptible to violence,” Mohammad said. “This war on cops is something that I don’t think should be tolerable and it makes cops more vulnerable.”

In the end the bill was not passed in the Senate Chamber and will not be adopted.

 By: Sophia North

Jenny Smith Miranda Rights were potentially violated by the police, who commenced an interrogation on her without the presence of a legal guardian. Her court case was appealed.

The appellee believes that the officers’ mistake were harmless; however, the appellant views this as a crucial aspect of the case. On Friday, January 27 the appellate court began reviewing the case and by the end a majority of the rounds ruled in favor of the appellant.

Police officers’ duties include protecting people, property, enforcing laws and bringing justice. In this case, the appellee is unsure if the police officers balanced both people’s rights and bringing justice.

“It is the responsibility of police officers to find the truth, but not at the cost of procedural safeguards,” Simon Penn said.

Officer Court was accused of violating these rights by telling Smith she would go to “at bat” for her, meaning she promised to help her if she confessed to her crime.

“I think she overstepped her boundaries of the position by trying to coheres the child who had a right to remain silent,” Judge William Cerny said.

On a separate record, though, Officer Court said that she did not make any promises to Jenny.

Smith is a minor, and the appellants’ worry that Jenny was unaware of her Miranda rights upon entering the interrogation and therefore, she was violated of those rights by the police officers. They propose that she did not know that she could remain silent and so she confessed.

“People need to know their Miranda rights,” Cerny said. “If the police officer is trying to get them to confess when they have the right to remain silent there is a problem.”

However, the potential violation of Smith’s rights is also seen as the fault of others present during the process of her conviction.

“It is more the fault of the court system, because if they are not applying those procedural safeguards correctly then society can be impacted because people are convicted unfairly and unreasonably,” Penn said.

In recent years’ society’s perspectives of police officers have altered due to police brutality, such as the shooting of Michael Brown, which caused protests in Missouri. As well as social media bringing to light numerous videos of police being violent, causing some to question the intentions of the police force.

“The first purpose of police officers was to make sure that the people are protected and I think that we need to go back to that,” Penn said.  “It seems that in society today police officers are now being viewed as people that are just trying to get a confession.”

Despite the concerns, Alain Cisneros reflects on the fact that police officers are not perfect.

“Humans are humans,” Cisneros said. “They make mistakes and this court case can be used to learn from so in the future we can handle this in a different way.”

By: Chloe Opelt

A court trial has taken place in Room E2.016 in the State of Texas Capitol building on January 27, 2017. The question being, did Jenny Smith commit this murder out of her own will, or was she influenced by the prescription drug, Prozac, that she has been taking for her diagnosed depression and bipolar disorder? After the trial had taken place, Megan Antone ruled Jenny Smith guilty of first-degree murder after determining she was cognitively aware, leaving her accountable for her actions. Smith will be sent to prison, and sentencing will commence at a later date.

The prosecution attorney, Toiya Smith, battled against the defense witnesses by undermining their statements or finding holes in the case. Attorney Smith brought up hard evidence such as journal entries by Jenny only a few days before the murder, and even a murder weapon, found under jenny’s mattress. The journal entries previously stated, “it was easy,” referring to murdering Netlo.

There were two holes that were dug in the park that victim, Benjamin Netlo, was found in. These two holes suggested premeditation of the murder of Netlo, thus proving that Jenny Smith was not being fully influenced by the drug Prozac. A witness even gave a physical description of a girl they saw at the pond near the park the same day of the murder of Netlo. The description stated that a “goth looking girl, with long, red hair and blue eyes” was hanging around the pond that day. The prosecution had constant rebuttals and tried to poke holes in the defense witnesses by making them nervous or presenting hard-to-answer questions. Tactics like these, may have helped the prosecution acquire the desired result of the trial. The prosecution claimed that Prozac is proven to not have a high amount of negative side affects on people, and that the drug could not have driven Jenny Smith to perform the actions she did.

The defense attorneys tended to use a large sketch pad, centered at the front of the room to better provide a visual aide to the audience and judge to help prove points in their case. When the topic of journal entries came up, the defense responded with the question of relevance towards the case considering the fact that Jenny Smith has been found guilty of the murder but not of the state of mind she was in when she committed the crime. As for the murder weapon, nothing about the subject proves that she was/wasn’t in her right mind. The defense witnesses consisted of Jenny’s best friend and a counselor. Her best friend claimed that “Jenny wouldn’t do something like this” if she were in her right mind. The counselor also claimed to know that Jenny is “not capable of murder in the first” if she were not under an influence of some sort. Both defense witnesses when questioned by the prosecution admitted they were close to Jenny Smith and didn’t “want to see her get hurt,” which looks bad for them to the judge. The defense reiterated that Prozac is a black box drug, meaning that it has a warning when given to patients, that in can in fact cause negative side effects such as “suicide, self-harm, and anxiety.”

Both the defense and prosecution witnesses struggled with their recollection of certain events throughout the trial. Both sides picked and prodded at each other respectfully, while building their platform and trying to convince the judge of their side of the story. As the closing statements were presented, the last plea for belief was given, and the court took a recess to give the judge time to make a ruling. Upon re-entrance to the court, Judge Antone found Jenny Smith guilty of murder in the first degree, not under the influence of Prozac. This ruling means a sentencing to a penitentiary in the near future for Jenny Smith.