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.

Tags: New York, state submission, submission

The delegates of New York plan to go far this year at CONA. So much is going on for the delegation and many great accomplishments are being achieved. Like many of the other delegations, New York was a premier delegation last year and is striving for the same distinction this year. The representatives of New York are also excited about having Presiding Officer, Jane Henderson, from their state. When it comes to being involved, the delegates from New York have been giving 100%; like many other delegates, they have made many friendships that will last for years to come. They are learning new things and their knowledge of national issues is growing with the help and dedication of other debaters. While some are concentrating on getting their proposal through committees, GA, and to plenary, others focus on debating and having their voices heard.

Building up mental strength and courage is a necessity here at CONA. Day after day, delegates raise their placards whether it is to give a con or pro statement or to simply ask a technical question. Some members of the New York delegation, here for their first time, have certainly gained experience for future National Affairs participation even though they did not make it past first committee. They have learned to take the time to listen to other proposals and learn things beneficial to their own proposals. New York is striving for success this year at CONA and is clearly going to achieve this based on the conference thus far.

“New York is the melting pot of culture and lifestyle. With the spice of surprise and intelligence, you’re going to be in for a really good outcome,” says a member of the New York delegation.

Overall, the New York delegation is a mixture of people with different personalities, views, and goals that will certainly make for a memorable CONA.

Tags: New York, state submission, submission

Every new CONA delegate has different impressions after arriving at the mountain for the first time. How does everyone already know each other? What is a Eureka Treat? Where can I get one? Is it just me or is it “hot in hurr?” What is the difference between a state, family, commonwealth, and republic? Where in the woods is Carmen Sandiego? And lastly, where is the Blue Ridge Spirit? I can’t find it on my map.
As the conference begins to unfold however, the answers spring up in the most unexpected places. All of us strive for that cross-country friendship, that memory we will never forget, that debate in which we hope to participate. As first years, we might get that nervous butterfly feeling when approaching the stand to speak or feel intimidated by the CONA veterans. In first, second, and third committees listening to the first, second, third, and even fourth year delegates speak their views, just shows one thing about all of us: despite our diversity we are here, in this mountain setting of North Carolina, to make a difference. As first years or even returnees, above all we will strive to make that difference throughout the week and to remember it.

Tags: New York, state submission, submission