As the 2023-2024 Youth and Government State Conference comes to an end, for some of the delegates it will be their last time ever doing Youth and Government, in which they will become Alumni of this program. The YMCA has a mission “to help teenagers become responsible citizens and future leaders of our nation.”. The program has acquired all the participants to leave with a new set of skills and abilities. Speaking with alumni, Seleste Long, states “ Youth and Government have shaped me into who I am today. I was able to leave the program with a different set of social skills, after joining the media section. I was once not one who went out of my way to talk to people, but I do now! Actually, I currently attend UT Austin and I room with Ciara Brown, last year’s Lieutenant Governor. So not only did Youth and Government leave me with new friends that I still keep in contact with, but it helped me overcome some of that social anxiety I once possessed!” Seleste has also spoken about her brother, “Sharif Long who also attended UT Austin and was a delegate in Legalstive, now works as a Legislative Correspondent in the
U.S House of Representatives.”. For a bit of background information about Sharif’s journey, Advisor Steven Cain, gave the story. “Sharif didn’t first go to school for his career, he first went in as a different major, but he soon realized this wasn’t what he wanted. He went back and he made the change and now he is successful!” The Youth and Government program, helped one bright men find his passion and not only find it, but he succeeded in it. Now for the message to all the YG Veterans, let this program lead you. You’ve read about what it can do, whether that’s curing your social anxiety, creating new friends, or even
finding your passion after high school- you will receive what you put into this amazing program!

Written by Ajaila Joseph