By: Chloe Opelt

The Youth and Government program available to all high school attendees, has seemed to have a long-lasting impact on the lives of the participants. From present day delegates to past Youth and Government members, all have had more than enough to say about the effect of the program on not only their personalities, but their futures as well.

Kennedy Montgomery, YMCA Youth and Government Governor of 2016, made a trip from Fort Worth(Timberview High School) to join the masses at the State Conference this year. Montgomery has participated in two state conferences, as well as legislative actions and the chief of staff for governor in his former Michigan delegation. learned the importance of leadership, unity, service, and just helping others, as well as the idea of democracy and love.” Montgomery strongly believes that the program that he has been a part of for four years has impacted his life positively. “It changed my life, I used to want to be a cardiothoracic surgeon, but now I definitely want to be a public servant.”  When asked about the personality changes in the recent past, Montgomery accredited them to the program itself, claiming that it has “enhanced the overall spirit” of his personality. Overall, the influence this single program has had on Montgomery and his future is astounding and inspiring.

“I learned the importance of leadership, unity, service, and just helping others, as well as the idea of democracy and love,” Montgomery said.  Montgomery strongly believes that the program that he has been a part of for four years has impacted his life positively. “It changed my life, I used to want to be a cardiothoracic surgeon, but now I definitely want to be a public servant.”  When asked about the personality changes in the recent past, Montgomery accredited them to the program itself, claiming that it has “enhanced the overall spirit” of his personality. Overall, the influence this single program has had on Montgomery and his future is astounding and inspiring.

Montgomery strongly believes that the program that he has been a part of for four years has impacted his life positively. “It changed my life, I used to want to be a cardiothoracic surgeon, but now I definitely want to be a public servant.”  When asked about the personality changes in the recent past, Montgomery accredited them to the program itself, claiming that it has “enhanced the overall spirit” of his personality. Overall, the influence this single program has had on Montgomery and his future is astounding and inspiring.

“It changed my life, I used to want to be a cardiothoracic surgeon, but now I definitely want to be a public servant,” Montgomery said.  When asked about the personality changes in the recent past, Montgomery accredited them to the program itself, claiming that it has “enhanced the overall spirit” of his personality. Overall, the influence this single program has had on Montgomery and his future is astounding and inspiring.

Montgomery accredited them to the program itself, claiming that it has “enhanced the overall spirit” of his personality. 

Gracie Porter, a fourth-year delegate, is Print Editor at the 70th annual State Youth and Government Conference. Better communication skills, multi-tasking skills, and refinement of writing style are all components of the new pallet Youth and Government has provided to Porter. Porter claims that this program has “helped

[her] expand [her] skill set, and confidence level,” as well as being “able to help others.”

Youth and Government has given Porter the gift of new personality traits, she is “more comfortable to be who [she] want[s] to be, and more confident in a professional setting.” Porter plans on “working with a non-profit organization” in the near future.

No matter the great differences between delegates at the beginning of their Youth and Government journey, many share course changing experiences and new friends made from all over the state. Great influence is being made on the lives of the youth in the state, by the program. Individuals are molded slowly by the program with unofficial consent of delegates, students, and more importantly, friends.