A Newbie’s Glimpse into this Year’s Texas YG States Conference
Participating in the Texas Youth and Government State Conference for the first time is an unforgettable experience. Sparked by the sense of intensity during the debates at the House, the breathtaking sight of the pink granite of the state capital, and the sweet taste of success at the awards ceremony. The overall feeling may be intense and exhausting, but the sense of accomplishment and fulfillment makes it undeniably worthwhile. As the years pass, the initial intense emotions gradually become a part of a normal YG experience. The surprise and awe from the first year eventually transform into a sense of familiarity. The state conferences focus on the seniors departing the program and the sophomores and juniors leveling up. However, the freshman experience is incredibly significant. Especially this year with the numerous changes and the brand-new hotel.
For Ella Costabile, a first-time member of Mock Trial, the experience of starting with a new case was overwhelming. She expressed, “Understanding the amount of time it took to learn the ins and outs of a case, even as a witness, was very overwhelming.” However, this sense of being overwhelmed is common among first-time YG participants, regardless of the section they’re involved in. With practice, the initial overwhelming feeling gradually becomes a new normal.
After the first taste of YG at districts, the difficulty at states can come as a surprise. Kaavya Venkat, a first-year mock trial student, shared her experience, saying, “States was quite a change from my district’s experience. At districts, I had an easier witness, but now at states, I have to be an ‘expert level witness’ practically slandered on the cross.” Costabile shared a similar sentiment: “The teams I faced at states were much harder than the ones at districts.” Despite the challenges, the increased difficulty proved beneficial for their growth. Venkat mentioned, “This level of difficulty was actually very helpful. I feel like I’ve become a better witness through it.”
The best change these newbies got to experience this year was the resort. Akash Bose, a first-year legislative student, recalls enjoying the facilities, “I loved all the amenities this hotel had. The waterpark was the best part of it all.” This change added a new dimension to the overall experience, providing participants with a comfortable and enjoyable environment after an exhausting day at the Capitol or Austin Community College. In the end, while the Texas Youth and Government State Conference may be intense and demanding, the memories created and the personal growth achieved by the participants, particularly the freshmen, make it a truly invaluable and unforgettable experience.
By: Medha Rapuri