Youth Engagement Projects

This year, FDC includes

its own service project. Upon

arrival, delegates are encour-

aged to create Valentine’s

Day cards for veterans. The

cards thank the veterans for

their service to our country

and are decorated for the

holiday. This project has trav-

eled with the presiding offi-

cers to each district and is

expected to touch the lives of

the recipients.

While District IV seems to

be lacking in unified commu-

nity service, the Campo Chap-

ter has been determined to

share their service and to

spread the word about their

chapter.

The Campo Chapter,

which is mainly comprised of

home-schooled delegates,

has participated in two major

service projects this school

year.

One of these projects

comprised of booths at all of

the YMCA locations in the

area, allowing members of

the community to register to

vote on the spot. It took

NOELLE FENNESSY

Staff Writer

Welcome delegates to

the 2010-2011 Florida Youth

in Government Fall District

Conference! As members of

all District IV delegations split

off into their differing pro-

gram areas, their goal is the

same: leave Tallahassee suc-

cessful.

Attorney Nicholas Gobes,

co-president of the Palm Har-

bor delegation, is “looking

forward to defending [his]

title as best law firm in the

state.”

Similar delegates within

the judicial program area are

practicing the creation of

legal arguments with Gradu-

ate Advisor Jamy Dinkins, a

law student at Florida State

University.

In the opposite realm of

YIG, Arianna Cook of the leg-

islative program is listening

and voting on bills in commit-

tee proceedings.

“I’m having lots of fun

meeting so many great dele-

gates,” Cook said.

First year legislators are

learning the basics of bill

writing and learning the

rhetoric of committee pro-

ceedings.

“I’m looking forward to

writing a bill of my own,”

said first-year Daniel Koker.

Lobbyists have been dis-

cussing changes to the lob-

byist program. Lobbyists

have time to plan their

method of attaining clients in

preparation for State Assem-

bly. “I’m excited to become

the best lobbyist firm,” said

Kate Snyder, a second year

lobbyist.

The delegates have been

busy practicing, planning,

MICHAEL PAPPAS

Staff Writer

Different Processes, Same Goal: Preparing for State Assembly

Christian Carvajal, Nick Gobes, and Julia D’Azzo practice for oral arguments during the

Judicial session of DIV FDC. Photo courtesy of Erika Amaya.

Florida YMCA Youth In Government • Observations in the Spirit of Democracy • 10 December 2010

DIV Candidate Platforms

At the 2010 Fall District

Conference there were two

nominees for State Assembly

elections. Anastasia Cobb

was nominated for Commis-

sioner of Agriculture, and

Glory McClure was nominated

for Governor.

Cobb, a junior from

Shorecrest High School,

wants to be the Commis-

sioner of Agriculture because

she feels it is her time to give

back to the program that has

given her countless memories

and unforgettable experi-

ences.

If elected Commissioner

of Agriculture Cobb plans to

create better communication

between delegations. She

also wants YIG to become

more involved in the commu-

nity.

“I am responsible, ap-

proachable, knowledgeable,

and will make sure stuff gets

done”, said Cobb.

Glory McClure, a junior

from the Campo chapter, was

nominated for Governor and

believes that she is the best

HALLIE HAHN

Staff Writer

10 December 2010 The Fall District IV Chronicle 2

staff Emma Joslyn Editor-in-Chief

Noelle Fennessey • Hallie Hahn • Lisa Oster • Michael Pappas • Kaley Witeck • Erika Amaya Program Coord.

Being a first year delegate

in the legislative branch can be

a stressful, exciting, and very

interesting way to be a part of

the Youth In Government pro-

gram. I can back this up be-

cause I was a first year dele-

gate in the legislative branch

last year.

After talking with quite a

few delegates and hearing

some interesting and contro-

versial bills I found a few first

year delegates who set them-

selves apart from the rest of

the group.

A freshman from Plant

High School, Zach Schulcer,

told me that he joined simply

because he saw an ad for it in

his school paper. After doing

his research he was suddenly

very interested in YIG. He told

me that he would most defi-

nately be involved in YIG next

year. The bill that he is writing

this year pertains to teacher

pay and salaries.

Another delegate who

seemed very enthused to be at

her first FDC was Amanda

Johnston, a junior at Largo

High School. She heard about

YIG through a teacher at her

school and decided that it

would look good on her col-

lege applications. She stood

out from the rest of the dele-

gates because she was very

excited to be here and to learn

the bill writing process. We are

looking forward to hearing

from these first years as they

experience State Assembly

for the first time.

Legislative First Years Speak Up at Countryside HS LISA OSTER

Staff Writer

candidate because she has

accomplished a lot, and has

clearly formed a foundation to

work on.

I f e lected Governor

McClure wants to encourage

better communication between

YIG and the community.

McClure plans to bridge the

communication gap between

Jr. and Sr. delegates. McClure

also wants to give everything

she can back to the program

and the amazing people that

make it possible.

“I really love this pro-

gram!” said McClure.

DIV Candidates cont. place over one day and had

tremendous success.

The delegation also showed

their patriotism by honoring the

lives lost on 9/11 with over

3,000 flags placed along Bay-

shore Boulevard in Tampa at the

Annual Freedom Walk.

Andrew Jones, a third-year

delegate in the Legislative Pro-

gram, describes the community

involvement of his chapter as a

great way to be recognized and

to grow. As a chapter of mainly

home-schooled delegates, unity

is crucial to its success.

“We have increased mem-

bership and we have even been

recognized by the local newspa-

pers for our efforts,” he says.

“It has brought our chapter

together and has given us a

sense of family.”

YEPs cont. For more

YIG

news,

check out

thepagenote.

blogspot.com

and improv-

ing them-

selves for

State As-

sembly and,

p r o g r a m

designation

aside, all

d e l e g a t e s

are excited

to represent

their respective delegations.

Legislative delegates debate during general assembly. Photo courtesy of Erika Amaya.

For more photos facebook.com/

FloridaYIG

Anastasia Cobb, Commissioner of Agriculture candidate, left, and Glory

McClure, candidate for Governor, right.

Program Areas cont.