Harding Delegates at YMCA Youth in Government
Seated L to R: Peighton Thacker, Kendra Forman, Jon Green and Tom Green
Standing: Ben Huffman, Marion Family YMCA Program Director
23 Marion area high school students participated in the 63rd Ohio YMCA Youth in Government State Assembly at the Ohio Statehouse April 3, 4 and 5, 2014. Marion delegates joined 475 middle and high school students (grades 8 – 12) from throughout the state in this leadership and public service program.
“From youth sports to Youth in Government, the YMCA works daily to ensure Marion young people have opportunities to grow into their full potential,” said Marion Family YMCA Executive Director, Theresa Lubke.
“We’re pleased to see this program grow in Marion County and throughout the state. It is one of the premier teen leadership programs in the country.”
Preparation for the YMCA Youth State Assembly began in the fall with research and writing of legislation.
River Valley students Allie Woodford and Paayal Vora introduced legislation to amend a section of the Ohio revised code for the purpose of regulating the censorship of books in schools by state and district boards of education.
Ridgedale students, Dominic Straquadine and Ian Clouse introduced legislation to add a section to the Ohio Revised Code for the purpose of levying a tax on all products manufactured in an Ohio factory that uses fossil fuels to create them in order to fund environmental protection organizations.
River Valley student Joree Hubbell served as Youth President of the Senate and Ridgedale student Demi Cellar served as Youth House Chaplain.
Other students participated in the Judicial Program where they prepared cases to be argued before the Youth Supreme Court including River Valley student CJ Rollison who served as Assistant Youth Chief Justice; the Lobbyist Program where they engaged in research and advocacy for or against presented legislation; the Executive Branch Program in which Ridgedale senior, Abbey Larson, served as Youth Governor. As Youth Governor, Larson presided over the entire State Assembly.
Larson was elected to her position by the delegates attending the 62nd Ohio YMCA Youth in Government State Assembly in April, 2013. She served as a youth leader with the Ohio YMCA State Alliance Youth in Government program throughout the past year. Elgin student, Kevin Conroy was elected 2015 Youth House Chaplain and Woodford was elected 2015 Youth Lt. Governor.
Marion area delegates were: Ridgedale High School: Abbey Larson, Dominic Straquadine, Nathan Ramey, Jeremiah Ramey, Blake Dennis, Demi Cellar, and Ian Clouse; River Valley High School: Joree Hubbell, CJ Rollison, Allie Woodford, Dayna White, Paayal Vora, Megan Drapper, Tim Davis, Austin Chivington; Elgin High School: Kevin Conroy and Devon Smigley; and Harding High School: Peighton Thacker, Kendra Forman, Tom Green and Jon Green. Mt. Gilead High School students attending as part of the Marion delegation were Bryce Coder, Nate Wayne, Gavin Graham, Andrew Lyons, Alex Kauser, Cheyenne Fleming, and Sabrina Hellman.
Ohio YMCA Youth in Government is an annual program conducted in Marion through a partnership of area schools and the Marion Family YMCA. Individuals or schools interested in participating in the 64th Youth Assembly, April 2015, should contact YMCA Program Director, Ben Huffman at the YMCA 740-725-9622 or bhuffman@marionfamilyymca.org.
Photo: Harding High School Delegates at YMCA Youth in Government
Seated Left to Right: Peighton Thacker, Kendra Forman, Jon Green and Tom Green
Standing: Ben Huffman, Marion Family YMCA Program Director
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