Pennsylvania, the Keystone State, has long been a staple at the Conference on National Affairs. They ascended the mountain with their trademark vigor and excitement. They were led across the Mason-Dixon line by their amiable new governor, Tyler Verin. Their proposals ranged from completely restructuring the United Nations to legalizing indoor prostitution. The ten hour bus ride was an exodus from the city of Brotherly Love and Pittsburgh, the City of Steel. The 21 delegates waited full of anticipation as the bus traveled from state to state on the way to North Carolina. We spoke in boisterous tones, re-living Pennsylvania’s past glories: stealing flags, popping cows, and the occasional fiery speech. When we finally arrived and immersed ourselves in the throng of delegates surrounding Lee Hall, it became apparent that some delegates had returned home while the new delegates began to make their place on the mountain. During the first night’s conversations, it occurred to me that if we left the mountain with all goals achieved, then the United States would become a prostitution-loving, drug-testing, allergen-alerting, electoral college-disbanding, UN-reconstrucing, nuclear threat-making, electoral primary-voting, scholarship-establishing, education system-augmenting, organ-donating, fair-labor-task-force-creating, electronic vote-standardizing, hand gun-regulating, ethanol-negating, aerospace-encouraging, Homeland Security-reforming, Afghanistan-rebuilding, civil liberties-protecting, driving on Sunday-banning, minimum wage-maintaining, religious freedom-affirming place.
Archive for category State Submissions
Since New Mexico’s long awaited arrival on the mountain, our delegation’s t-shirts have been quite a hit – and it was hard to top last year’s “Which Way Do You Swing?” t-shirt.
The New Mexico t-shirt, a bright, light blue features not only the YMCA logo, but it has two quotes. One: “Like Mexico but Newer” and two: “Leaving the Border Insecure since 1912.” A picture supports the later logo with a shot from the first episode of “Speedy Gonzales” in which the little mouse tries to trick Sylvester or “El Gringo Pussycato,” so he and his amigos can get into the cheese factory across the border.
The process of our shirts was a simple one: What would be controversial enough to make people laugh, but not be offensive enough to get negative feedback? The first idea was just to have the front say CONA 2010 and to have a picture of the mice behind the fence looking in. That involved from the “International Border” to “Dealing with Texas since 1912” to now the finished product our delegation proudly wears. Currently, the t-shirts have been a hit, with several delegations considering them as highly tradable. Note: Some of us do have t-shirts left.
What some delegations may not know is that there is a serious message behind our t-shirt: Illegal immigration. Since the passage of Arizona’s controversial law, the Southwest has been looked at undoubtedly with a scope to just what is going on down under. Obama promised to follow suit, Arizona’s governor Brewer promised to follow through and still the Border States were lost in translation of what is next. Honestly, nobody knows what is next.
Political analysis are projecting that illegal immigration reform won’t be introduced until late next year while the issues continue to progress. Ranchers are being killed in border towns, cities like El Paso and Las Cruses divide into battle grounds of war that could break out any minute as Mexican Drug cartels threaten the safety of the U.S. citizens not only traveling to Juarez but across our border. But, the government still ignores the issue.
Here at CONA, several proposals have been introduced to find alternative or point blank ways to deal with the 11 million known illegals here in the U.S. Pitchard of Delaware spoke of amnesty, Naab from Ohio spoke of illegalizing the process of illegal immigrants kids from becoming citizens and Weiss from North Carolina had an idea of “Operation Amigos.” Though all are good ideas, I’m afraid Congress or the Mexican Drug Cartels may not hear our plea.
Frankly, the U.S. has to be a part of the solution. Drugs and loose judicial systems keep illegal immigrants flow vast while amnesty and even allowing the illegals in the military as a quicker step to naturalization embraces the hidden illegals. Sadly in the U.S., a large event or even disaster has to occur usually before any action is taken.
T-shirts at CONA do have meaning behind them. Each one of our delegations chose to either project a message or go for a simple design. What’s wonderful about CONA is we can learn about the issue and passions that drive delegates from our respective states to a conference like this to fix what is not working.
~ Atisha Morrison
The first year of the Colorado delegation’s CONA experience has been absolutely amazing. As the three of us (two delegates, one advisor) stepped onto the mountain for the first time (Which are more like hills to us compared to the 14′ers of Colorado) we didn’t really know what to expect; but breathing in pure oxygen and humidity for the first time threw us for a loop. Being the first from Colorado sent to CONA in a long time, we were really excited and a bit intimidated by the huge delegation from Texas, who decorated our hall with Texas flags and colors. As we walked into first committee however, we met so many amazingly friendly delegates who were willing to meet new people and take on a challenge. We would eat different meals with different people each day, depending on who we talked to while waiting in line. We would meet new people at mixers, devotionals, even walking up the steps to Lee Hall. It was an experience never mirrored in anything else we’ve ever been through.
Though all three of us wish that we would have brought a full-sized delegation to scream cheers with at mealtimes, we have had so much fun with every single event. The air of openness that surrounds the mountain gave us a truly unforgettable experience, and we are excited for the coming years when we will bring our delegates out from Colorado to experience the Blue Ridge Spirit that we have been blessed enough to experience. Expect Colorado to be back will full force in 2011!
This year at CONA, the Tennessee delegation proudly boasts 25 delegates to represent the Volunteer State. For the roughly two dozen Tennesseans, the opportunity to participate in the conference has been hard fought and hard won. Combined, Tennessee’s two conferences claim over 1,000 participants, making the Tennessee branch of Youth in Government one of the largest in the nation. From the large pool of delegates at the state level, twelve delegates and twelve alternates are from each conference are chosen to go on to CONA. These are the top debaters, presenters, officers, and justices of the Volunteer State. The delegates represent all the components of government including members of the governor’s cabinet, the Supreme Court, press corps, lobbyists and all four chambers.
The physical journey to the conference includes a full day of bus travel. Because the Tennessee delegation consists of students throughout the entire state, the bus makes three stops, beginning at the western most corner of the state, Memphis, then goes to Nashville, and ends in the eastern corner of the state, Knoxville, before journeying to Black Mountain. The Tennessee delegation is comprised of the state’s finest young debaters and considers it an honor and privilege to represent their state. Go Vols!
~ Jeremy Wilson & Lindsey Victoria Thompson
When you ask your standard high school student who some of his or her closest friends are, the standard answer will warrant you a description of kids from around the area. However, as all of us know, CONA presents a unique opportunity to meet and bond with people throughout the United States and Marshall Islands; all of whom are represented at the conference. This aspect of the conference was shockingly prominent in my first few days as a first year on the mountain; everyone wants to meet you, get to know you, and remember something about you. Naturally, this leads to life changing friendships and the main purpose of this story; I asked a number of people who they have become the closest with because of CONA, outside of their own state, and why.
Libby Wuller, OK
“I have become closest friends with Tyler Brent from the MUN just because he was someone to go to and just talk. He’s a really neat person.”
Tyler Gross, MI
“Probably Cartina Carter from the Marshall Islands. She was my clerk, and I got to help her learn the procedure and work through the language barrier.”
Robert Fuson, SC
“Matt Roarty from Delaware, mainly because we shared a proposal and through as much as we talked, I found out what an awesome dude he is and he definitely is one of the guys I will want to stay in touch with after the conference.”
Severin Beckwith, SC
“Steven Bruler from Texas… he is my nemesis.”
Collette Robicheaux, AL
“Kate Munoz and Michael Black from Massachusetts. On the first night we sat around and talked, it was so fun. I haven’t seen them much since the first night but we had a good time.”
Rachel Robinson, MD
“Emily Love from Connecticut. On the first night, somehow colleges came up, and I found out she’s going to George Washington University. That’s where I want to go to, so we connected right away.”
Conner Bueche, LA
“Definitely Tyler Bishop from Georgia. He’s such a respectful man. We have a lot of the same beliefs and views, plus he’s easy to talk to.”
Matty Fishkin, CA
“Dan. I don’t know his delegation or last name, so obviously we’re not the closest, but every night I see him in my hallway and say ‘hi,’ he just brightens my day. We haven’t said more than a few words but he has made my time here really enjoyable. Also, Steven Clark from the Marshall Islands. He helped me understand a lot of why I am here and how what I say affects other people. He’s a really nice guy.”
Jacob Smitley, MI
“John Standish from Pennsylvania. I though he looked like Wolfgang Van Halen. After I told him my thought we just became good friends.”
Robert Dennehy, CT
“Aristotle from Pennsylvania. I love that kid; I talk to him every time I see him.”
Andrew Naab, OH
“Henry from Oklahoma. I mean, he’s currently wearing my bowtie. We’re roommates so I have to watch him sweat while he does P90X.”
Athie Livas, KT
“Emily from last year’s MUN. She showed me that a lot of CONA is more than learning names; it is about to strengthening bonds. That is something that is incredibly deep and can’t be manufactured anywhere else. Plus, she is a year older than me, so she gives me advice on colleges and stuff like that.”
Afiya Hemphill, DOC
“Probably Leslie from Connecticut. She is really cool. She was the first person I got close with from out of state so I have to give her props.”
Austin Vitale, CA
“Kendall McDonald from Mississippi. After sitting together throughout committee, we discovered we are the same person, except she’s a girl.”
Benjamin Blais, NM
“Holly Firlein from Delaware. We spent the governor’s conference and CONA last year together. We are the same person.”
Khlaed N-M, MI
“Amber from California. She fell asleep on my shoulder… but I don’t think she knows my name.”
Kyle Bunting, MUN
“Brandon Henken from Pennsylvania. He is just such a nice person and shares most of my views. He has been a pleasure to talk to.”
Jacob Bouck, TX
“Feras Sadig from Connecticut. I don’t really know him but he hugged me from behind.”
~ Micah Burgess, MI
After waking up at 4am to make their flight, the Missouri delegation made it to the airport complete with seersucker attire and tote bags with state logos. The check-in process took nearly an hour for the ten delegates and three advisors. When I stepped up to the check-in counter discovered that I had not been given a flight ticket. After fifteen minutes of panicked phone calls, I was given a ticket for the flight and we were seated on the plane.
At the loading gate, the delegation found their flight delayed because of a “confrontation” between a few of the flight attendants. Two hours after the original departure time, the Missouri delegation made it in the air.
When arriving in Atlanta, the delegation had literally a minute to get their next gate because the final boarding call had been announced. Once the group had loaded the plane, the leaders found that Katayon Ghasseni was nowhere to be seen. After anxiety attacks by all and poor Ken “Young Money” Hussy’s almost devestation, Ghasseni strutted onto the plane.
After the day’s events, all of the delegation held their breath at baggage claim in Charlotte, NC. Luckily, all bags were present and accounted for – the first thing that seemed to go right that day.
~ Kate Wagner
Many of y’all (yeah, I said it) have been wondering why exactly we refer to ourselves as “The Family of Alabama.” Although a couple of people have suggested it, we are not inbred. In fact, none of us are related, we’re just the hosts. However even though we are not related, we do have the one and only Bobfather. The legacy of the Bobfather is evident from the high demand of Bob pins, and the masses of delegates that have approached us begging for our shirts that proudly display Bob styling some yellow shutter shades. Those of us in the Alabama family know him well, and owe him more than most. Bob is involved in our Youth in Government, and without him CONA and the family of Alabama wouldn’t be the same.
So when you see the Bobfather at some point this weekend (and you will because he is somehow everywhere at once) yell some thanks or throw up some spirit fingers.
Anyway while I’m at it, yes most of us like sweet tea, and we all do wear shoes.
~ Alabama Delegation
The Connecticut delegation: a bunch of kids who have never heard of “Cheerwine,” don’t like to pronounce the letter “T” when speaking, and live down the street from Martha Stewart. A group of 25 strong and extremely different personalities, we all came together from different schools and backgrounds and traveled as one to CONA. After helping one another with proposals, coming up with a meaningful devotion, and spending true bonding time with each other every night, it has become apparent that this legendary “Blue Ridge Spirit” is coursing through our veins, and allowing us to open our hearts and minds.
Although we don’t have the most diversity, we are all unique in different ways: Although we hail from all around Connecticut, not two of us are completely alike. Being unqiue is more than accepted at CONA, and it is commendable that each of us can embrace these unique qualities. The title “premier delegation” have been granted to us the past two years, but these two words merely allow us to live up to a standard as a delegation, and not boast about a title.
With that, we leave you now with just two final words: Hartford Whalers!
~ Stephanie Luczak & Stephanie Simko
In 2009, the State YMCA of Georgia celebrated a couple of exciting anniversaries: 80 years of being a chartered YMCA and 65 years of offering Youth Assembly, the model state legislature. Over the years, more than one million teens have passed through the State YMCA of Georgia programs that include leadership, character, and Youth In Government programs that are in addition to the local “Y” Clubs in more than 100 schools across the state.
Through the years, a number of noteworthy individuals have become alumni. The folks include a number of both current and former state legislators and elected officials, but also folks like country music superstar Trisha Yearwood, former NFL Coach Dan Reeves, US Senator Johnny Isakson, and several college and university presidents.
Our local “Y” Club chapters completed more than 75,000 community service hours in projects ranging from building houses for Habitat for Humanity, projects to benefit the homeless community, Operation Christmas Child, local community blood drives, etc. Known for our southern hospitality and think accents, we are pleased to once again join our brothers and sisters from across the nation “on the mountain” where the Blue Ridge Spirit lives.
~ Georgia Delegation
New York is in its 74th year of Youth and Government, and we are all happy to be back at CONA. In New York YAG, we highly value the cultivation of leadership and the education of young people in the ways of democracy. In the family of twenty strong that we have in this year’s New York delegation, there are former members of the Governor’s Cabinet, former state committee chairs, former state Presiding Officers, and newly elected state Presiding Officers. We have quite the leadership team built up; we look forward to using CONA not only to strengthen ourselves as individuals, but to strengthen our state program. As we encounter different people and different ideas from around the nation, we bring this diversity and our opened minds to New York State in pursuit of the teaching of true democracy to as many teens as we can.
Not only do we come here to learn from other states and glean life-changing experiences, but to exercise our minds and enhance our debating abilities. As we debate our proposals and the proposals of others, we listen to the smartest people in the nation inject their knowledge and ideas into the discussion. Those of us who are apprehensive at first will soon step out of our comfort zones and realize that we too have the intellectual prowess to stand with the best, and show everyone what the Excelsior State is all about.One of the most unique experiences about CONA for New York is our round table meetings. Not only is it a time when we hash out crazy CONA moments that we saw in our committees or something quirky that a delegate did at lunch, but it is a time for reflection. Without reflection, you lose the meaning of this conference and it becomes just a week of fun. While that is extremely appealing, you can’t beat sitting in a room and finding yourself. On Sunday, we recognized the extraordinary opportunity that CONA affords us, and we all reflected on how we should grasp that opportunity. We also thought about before the conference and what made us decide to attend CONA. We all had different reasons for choosing to attend, but the consensus reached was that our goals here were to grow and meet new people and expand our horizons.
If you haven’t met a New York delegate yet, I encourage you to do so. The diversity in our state alone is surpassed only by that of this conference and I can personally say that after having spent time with these people, you would all get a good laugh and a good conversation after just a few minutes talking with any one of them. It has been a pleasure to have been a New York delegate these past four years, and always having my own delegation as part of my family will be what I miss about this conference the most.