Hello again from CONA! We had a fantastic Independence Day celebration here in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Proposals written by seven of our students (Jessie Searles, Keilan Lewis, Dani Smith, Noelle Mitchell, Jared Bouloy, Anastasia Sotiropoulos, and Youth Governor Sharif Long) were heard and debated in Third Committee Hearings. We are so proud of all of our students for devoting their Fourth of July holiday to studying and deliberating on proposals striving to sustain and improve our great country. We are especially excited that Jared Bouloy’s, Keilan Lewis’, and Sharif Long’s proposals have continued to advance. Jared Bouloy’s proposal on addressing sexual assault and rape and Keilan Lewis’ proposal seeking to reduce radicalization abroad are slated for discussion in the Washburn General Assembly which will take place today, Wednesday, from 8:00-11:30 AM CT and 5:45-8:00 PM CT. Live-streaming is available at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/KwgTF7PnJ6e?utm_campaign=ustre.am&utm_source=ustre.am%2F1wH8W&utm_medium=social&utm_content=20170705061643. Sharif Long’s proposal on addressing the pipeline between public schools and the juvenile criminal justice system has made it to the top and final hearing committee, the Plenary Session, which will be held Thursday from 7:40-11:30 AM CT and 12:30-3:00 PM CT. Those interested in watching the Plenary Session as well as viewing the Heaton General Assembly can follow along at http://ustre.am/1wFY7. Congratulations are also in order for Abrianna Rhodes, Jonathan Forseth, Evan Vollbrecht, Jordan Clements, Anastasia Sotiropoulos, Jared Bouloy, and Noelle Mitchell, “intent speakers” who are guaranteed space to offer their pro/con positions during the final sessions. We can’t wait to see what accomplishments and experiences the rest of CONA will bring!
