CONA Wrap-Up

The YMCA Conference on National Affairs could not have wrapped up any better for the Tennessee Delegation.  Evan Ford, from Brentwood Academy, passed his proposal on banning collective bargaining for teachers in Plenary, which is the highest a bill can be ranked.  Taylor Norton, also from Brentwood Academy, presented in General Assembly with an outstanding performance on allowing firearms on college campuses.  The entire delegation was very outstanding the entire week!  We received Premier Delegation as a state for our timeliness in preparations for the conference and outstanding performance at CONA.  Nicola Shorten of Evangelical Christian School and Evan Ford won Outstanding Statesperson; only 24 out of the 570 students from the conference received this award.  Evan Ford (can you tell he's pretty awesome?!) was also named third alternate for Presiding Officer, the highest award possible.  Presiding Officers serve as the leaders of next year's conference and are picked based on their outstanding performance at the conference, outstanding performance with their delegation at home, and their evidence of servant leadership.  He will have big shoes to fill as Ryan Ray, now a student at University of Tennessee- Knoxville, did a great job as Presiding Officer this year.  We could not be more proud of Tennessee!  Congrats guys on a great week!

CONA Update

Team Tennessee has been busy at CONA this week! We have spent the past few days debating, presenting, and spending time getting to know students from across the US. We had 12 students move from first committee onto second committee, an honor that less than half of CONA delegates receive. Out of these 12 students, four students moved onto third committee, a feat that less than a sixth of delegates receive. At the moment, we are in General Assembly. We are proud to announce that Tennessee delegate, Taylor Norton, made the General Assembly docket. He is one of forty students out of the 560 proposals that were chosen. He will present his proposal on legalizing firearms on college campuses tomorrow so be sure to check back to see if his bill passes. Otherwise, Tennessee students have stood out in debates and enjoyed catching the Blue Ridge Spirit. Wish us luck as we move into tomorrow's events!

Tennessee Heads to CONA!

Our apologies for the lack of posts about our Plan Padrino trip.  We will have posts soon, but with all the learning and fun that was being had (along with limited internet access), our blogging schedule didn't work out as planned.  

That said, this Saturday, we are sending 23 of our most outstanding delegates to the Conference on National Affairs otherwise known as CONA. The YMCA Conference on National Affairs is the highest honor that a Tennessee Delegate can achieve. The top delegates from the state are selected by a committee during the two Youth in Government conferences. These delegates are the best from the conferences not only in presentation and statesmanship, but also in overall attitude, adherence to the conference rules, as well as parliamentary procedure knowledge and debate skill. Once the delegates are selected, they are invited to join other statesmen from throughout the country for a week-long conference of ideas, where the nation's future leaders come together to share their ideas for strengthening America at the beautiful Black Mountain, North Carolina Blue Ridge Retreat Center. Once on the mountain, participants will catch the "Blue Ridge Spirit." Don't worry, this isn't an infectious disease, it is the sense of respect that the delegates have for one another as they share their ideas to further strengthen the nation and promote the development of democratic ideals throughout the world. The delegates promote their ideas by writing national level proposals and presenting them at the conference as they work to pass the proposals through the various committees, similar to the committee process in the state conference. Tennessee has an outstanding record at the conference and has achieved Premier Delegation for the past several years. 

This year, Ryan Ray, Former Governor from the 2010 Conference B Youth in Government Conference, was selected to be a Presiding Officer for the 2011 Conference on National Affairs. Only four Presiding Officers are selected from all of the states attending the conference. Ryan attended Brentwood Academy and is attending the University of Tennessee at Knoxville at this time. 

We will keep you updated on our happenings so be sure to check back often.  In the meantime, learn more about CONA on their website found here and leave us a comment with your favorite CONA memory if you had the privilege of going in previous years!

Day 2 in Colombia

Hello from an awesome Colombian computer here at the Y in Ibague, which we have discovered contains fun symbols like Ñçç¡¿ Other than having fun with the new symbols on the keyboard, we have had a lot of fun getting to meet the staff from the YMCA, Adrianna, Consuelo, Jaime, Luzayeda, and Nelly. After the five hour bus ride through the beautiful Colombian countryside, we were treated to a delicious native lunch at a local restaurant, consisting of plaintain soup with fresh bananas, chicken and rice and their version of banana-nut bread. Following that, we met our homestay families and settled in before arriving at the YMCA to tell the staff about the Model United Nations and Youth in Government conferences and Plan Padrino.

We`ll update soon with pictures and video! More adventures to come!

Taking a Trip to Colombia!

We are excited to announce that two of our MUN high school participants, Associate Director, and a volunteer will be headed to Ibague, Colombia next week to learn more about the Plan Padrino Program which we support through our Model United Nations program.  The Plan Padrino Program (translated God Father) provides sustainable funds for school, school supplies, and school uniforms for under-served students in Colombia.  Every other year we have had the privilege of bringing a group of students from Colombia to our MUN conferences and this year, we are pleased to take a group of American students there.  We hope that the trip will provide participants with a deeper cultural understanding and awareness that will aid in teaching our MUN students and the students in Colombia about the world and the many perspectives of those that inhabit it.  Be sure to follow our blog over the next two weeks so you can stay up to date on our trip with pictures, videos, and stories as we travel to Ibague and Bogota!

What's up with press?

Press Update!

We are currently working on the first paper of the day-- almost ready to print! Be sure to check it out.  In this issue, we covered things such as the dance, gubernatorial speeches, organic food, unusual bills, music and movie reviews, and fun polls!

Pictures from Governor's Banquet and Officer Auction

FRIDAY'S DANCE

REVIEW

Delegates seemed to enjoy the dance on Friday night after the Governor's Banquet.  Although most of them were on the dance floor, there were still some students at tables or in the hallway socializing with friends.  Andrew Gossett complied the music for the dance, but students requested songs as well.  Excitement is spreading for Saturday's night dance where the theme is "Black and White."

Governor's Banquet

Last night at the Governor’s banquet, the four Gubernatorial candidates gave their speeches. 

Caylyn Harvey, a junior at Brentwood Academy, spoke about her dedication to the conference and her plans to improve education and clean energy.  She has reiterated her ideas to voters throughout the weekend, giving them concrete examples of how she would take on the role as governor.  She also spoke about her qualifications.  She served as Chief of Staff to the Governor her sophomore year and is currently the Speaker of the Blue House.

Jimmie Williams Jr., a junior at Central High School, gave a seventeen-minute speech at the banquet.  His speech covered everything from domestic violence to the price of higher education and ended with the song “Rocky Top Tennessee.” 

Brett O’Connell, Ravenwood High School, gave a passionate speech about his dedication to the students and his dream of making a difference.

Jimmy Paul, Merrol Hyde Magnet School, gave a short speech outlining his dedication to the conference and willingness to give his all for the delegates.

Press Progress Update

Press is working on the third edition of the paper for today.  Our editor, Alexandra Watkins, has been working hard to meet her goal of printing six papers throughout the weekend!!

The video press is working on a voiceover for a song on tonight's broadcast.  Tune into channel 73 at the Sheraton.

A View from the Top

Some of our delegates took an adventure to the top of capitol hill today during lunch hour.  There are 189 steps on the way up.  Lindsey Cherry, a junior at Brentwood Academy said, "The long walk 189 steps was well worth seeing the amazing view of downtown Nashville.  The maintenance man let us look out of the roof which was way scarier than I expected."

An act to require drug tests to unemployment applicants

Caroline Leftwich and Elizabeth Lund
St. Cecilia Academy

Tennessee spends $381,000,000 on unemployment each year.  These delegates proposed a required drug test to all unemployment applicants.  The applicants would be given five days prior notice and would be strongly urged to participate in drug counseling programs if they test positive.  Additionally, they could apply for unemployment again six months after their failed test.  Several delegates questioned the funding for these rehabilitation programs, and they informed them the funding is already built in to the Medicaid funds.  Other skeptical delegates questioned whether the applicants could rid their system of drugs within the five days.  Ultimately, the bill was passed because of the estimated $791,000,000 the state would save.

Bills that passed Friday Morning in Red Senate

An act to require all in-ground burials to be vertical burials
Garrett Wilson and Parker Evans

This bill was proposed to save space in the shrinking land set aside for burials in TN.  It would require everyone to be buried vertically in the ground unless they previously bought a plot or refuse due to religious obligations.  It is currently around $7000 for a horizontal burial and $2000 for a vertical one.  Opponents questioned the bill, because it has never been implemented in the United States before and allows for an easy opt-out process.  However, the Senate ultimately concluded the space and monetary benefits outweighed the cons.

Joint Session Friday Morning

This morning at 9:30 a.m. in the House chambers, the first joint session was held.  The keynote speaker was Secretary of State Tre Hargett.  He gave an empowering speech that urged the young students at Youth Leg to make a difference in our state.  He said that they are the future of our world and they hold the power to transform politics for the better.  Afterward, YIG Governor Taylor Norton gave his first speech that outlined his views on illegal immigration, health care, and education.  Jill Nagle read the docket and the session closed.

Bills

Two bills proposed in this year’s Bill Book include:

An act to mandate the placement of seatbelts on all school buses registered within the state of Tennessee.

Autumn A. White, Marisa B. Knox, Ronisha Stewart

Central High School

An act to increase the safety of Tennessee roadways.

Emily Samuel, Anna Storey

Brentwood Academy

Press Corps

The Press Corps component of Youth in Government is a chapter of the conference that produces a newspaper and a broadcast.  Usually writing at least three papers and three broadcasts throughout the weekend, Press covers everything from current events to fashion trends.  There are currently seventeen members of the Press and Video Corps and they are working around the clock to produce quality news.  Tune into channel 73 to see the daily broadcast and be sure to pick up the newspaper at the info desk!

Gubernatorial Debate

Tonight was the Youth in Government Gubernatorial Debate between the four candidates for Governor for next year's conference.  The candidates are Brett O'Connell of Ravenwood High School, Jimmie Williams Jr. of Central High School, Caylyn Harvey of Brentwood Academy, and Jimmy Paul of Merrol Hyde Magnet School.  Meredith Whitfield, college staff, hosted the debate.  She posed questions at the candidates who were given time to answer the question and alloted time to rebut their opponent's statement.  The questions included topics such as the expected rise in the price of higher education, illegal immigration, the adoption of an income tax, and medical malpractice suits in Tennessee.  Delegates will vote on Saturday and the outcome will be announced at closing session on Sunday morning.

Youth in Government 2011 begins

The Tennessee Youth in Government Conference officially began Thursday morning at 11:30 a.m. with opening sessions.  After the officers processed in and the candidates gave their speeches, the delegates were dismissed to their committees.  So, what is Youth in Government?  Youth in Government is a YMCA funded program for young adults in middle Tennessee in which youth who seek to change their communities and get a taste of politics on the state level meet for a four-day conference at the state capitol.  These intelligent high school students compose and present mock bills that they must defend and justify to their peers.  The YMCA promotes youth development and encourages them to speak up and speak their mind.  Today, the next generation will debate, agree, and compromise on issues that face our state.