The TX YMCA Youth and Government program is known notoriously for encouraging
students to get involved in politics and share their voices with the world. It wants teenagers to
learn how to be civic citizens and future leaders of our world. Because of this, delegates have
had to learn how to get out of their shells and become comfortable with things like public
speaking, debates, and presentations. Although this may be uncomfortable for some, it is an
essential part of becoming a strong leader and growing your teamwork skills. Judge Angel Diaz
provides his two cents on how the YG program has helped him grow as a leader these past few
years. “Before I joined YG I didn’t want anything to do with leadership, I stayed back and
avoided it in general,” Diaz said. He noted that Youth and Government has helped him get over
his fear of public speaking, and he no longer has to worry about people not understanding what
he says. Diaz added that he is confident in himself and knows he can elaborate if anyone asks
him to restate his questions in the courtroom. “I know what I’m saying and I’ve learned to
articulate those things, so I can be confident that [attorneys and witnesses] will understand what I
mean.” According to Northbridge International School, high school is the ideal time to step into
leadership roles as it surrounds adolescents with diverse communities and can make them aware
of issues they didn’t know were present. Student leadership “empowers young people to have a
voice” and take action in their communities. This creates a stronger relationship between
students and teaches them the importance of making changes in society starting from a young
age. To conclude, taking leadership roles in school is incredibly important for building character
and furthering your education, and the TX YMCA Youth and Government program is a great
way to do just that!
By Gracie Nelson