While the rest of the school has been preparing for football games, homecoming, and everyday schoolwork, the Civics Club has been hard at work getting ready for the upcoming Youth Assembly. This year, YA is being held at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, on Sunday, November 2nd through the 4th. Several students from Armuchee will be attending the convention, and all of them are preparing in their own individual way. At Youth Assembly, students learn how our state legislature works. They are organized into the Senate and House of Representatives and listen to the proposed bills brought up by other representatives of their house. Then, they are able to debate the bill and vote on its passing or vetoing.
Jackson Pledger is a Senior new to Civic Engagement. His friends convinced him to participate in Youth Assembly this year, and he is thrilled for the trip. He said, “It was my own interest in politics, but Mrs. Broxterman wanted me to further that and have a great time doing it.” Pledger had already heard of the Civics Club, but he decided to join after hearing about the fun his peers had. Pledger is interested in political science, so Youth Assembly seemed like a great opportunity for him to further his passion and career. For his bill, Pledger has decided to take a stance on Native American land freedoms. He said, “I’m thinking about a public land act for them.” This would assure restrictions on land ownership, preventing racially motivated exchanges of land, which would allow Native Americans to keep their own land and homes.
Isabella Howell is a freshman who has participated in Civic Engagement since her 7th grade year. In her Youth Assembly preparations, Howell has chosen a few potential topics for her bill. Nutrition requirements in medical school is a probable subject. Isabella said, “A lot of times doctors aren’t required to take a basic nutrition class, so when they go to more complex classes they can’t be expected to pass.” These doctors aren’t getting the training to do their job properly, so Howell saw this as a perfect topic to bring to this year’s Youth Assembly. She also expressed her own concerns on this matter. She said, “Personally, I wouldn’t want a doctor who doesn’t know the basic facts of nutrition.” Howell is still figuring out all the little details of her bill, but the foundation is set. Isabella also spoke about the bills she expects to see in the Bill book. She said, “I expect a lot of political bills this year since the election is this November, so I expect to see bills on how that election will affect Georgia.” Howell also anticipates debating many bills on school safety issues and inflation.
Parker Campbell, a Senior and four year member of the Civics Club, is a possible candidate for the Senate Clerk this year. To prepare for this position, Campbell is learning all he can about the State Senate Clerk’s jobs. He said, “I will be responsible for the writing of amendments and amendment forms.” Campbell will also be reading the bills to the Assembly and handling other paperwork for them. Parker is looking forward to the trip, but a few things excite him more than others. He said, “I can’t wait to go to the Varsity and to be in the Capitol building. I think it is going to be so much fun.” Throughout his Civic Engagement career, Campbell has really enjoyed eating at the Varsity and debating in the Capitol, so naturally he is excited about it.
Isabel Martinez, a ninth grader and two-year member of Civic Engagement, spoke highly of her experience with Youth Assembly. In her seventh grade year, she participated in Junior Youth Assembly and gained lots of valuable information, as well as love for the legislative process. This year, she decided to participate in the high school version of JYA: Youth Assembly. She said, “I really enjoy Civic Engagement, and I would like to learn more about it and experience it, since I will probably be doing something like it after high school.” Civic Engagement has taught her a lot about community, politics, and economics. Martinez wishes to use this knowledge and experience throughout the rest of her schooling, career, and life. For her bill this year, Martinez decided to focus on rape and murder punishments in Georgia. She said, “I want to change the penalties to life in prison without parole and/or straight to the death penalty.” Isabel explained further how in self defense cases, some form of punishment would be given, but not life in prison or the death penalty.
Isaac Tucker is a long-term member of Civic Engagement and has been doing Youth Assembly for seven years. Through his experience, he has been able to learn about our legislature, and has been able to help his contemporaries learn as well. Over the years, Isaac has led many students into Youth Assembly, and now some of his closest friends are involved just like him. Isaac’s bill this year is about transportation throughout Georgia. Isaac said, “I am focusing on transportation as the topic of my bill, specifically constructing a rail system through Georgia.” Isaac’s bill will set aside funding for a railway across Georgia spanning from Ellijay to Valdosta. Isaac is also excited for a few things happening at this year’s Youth Assembly. He said, “I’m looking forward to the game night we have at every one of these events.” Every year, whether at Youth Assembly or another Civic event, our Armuchee students get together and have a game night, which they all thoroughly enjoy.
All these students are very excited for Youth Assembly, and they are preparing themselves and their bills for the wonderful day ahead of them.
