Gatton Students Participate in KYA and Return Home with the New Governor-Elect

[fblike] Issac Kresse

On November 29, a delegation of five Gatton students headed to Louisville to participate in the Kentucky Youth Assembly Conference (KYA). KYA is a mock government conference where students from across Kentucky develop and debate legislation learning firsthand the legislative process. Issac Kresse, Leah Cannady, Lexi Sunnenberg, and Samantha Dinga served as bill authors at the conference. Their bill proposed extending Emergency Protective Orders (EPOs) and Domestic Violence Orders (DVOs) to couples in an abusive relationship that are not married and do not have a child together. The bill successful passed the Senate Committee. However, the bill was ultimately defeated by a small margin in the Senate.

While the majority of the Academy delegation participated in the legislative program, Naomi Kellogg was busy running for the office of Governor. Naomi focused her campaign around the idea of “Think Big” and how youth can create positive change in their local community. Naomi’s hard work paid off as she became the first Governor to be elected from the Gatton Academy. Two other Academy delegates received individual awards at the Conference. Lexi Sunnenberg was named outstanding delegate, while Samantha Dinga received the Outstanding Speaker Award.

The Kentucky YMCA Youth Association develops engaged citizens and servant leaders, inspired to affect change in their school, community, Commonwealth, nation, and world. Through experiential learning, service, and community activism, the Kentucky YMCA Youth Association fosters critical thinking, leadership, and social responsibility in teens. http://kyymca.org/