YMCA » Pennsylvania

State Submission: Pennsylvania

sj — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:19:31 +0000

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.

Proposal #423/475/310

admin — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:13:22 +0000

Sex education is a topic that each and every teenager in America is associated with. The phenomenon of sexual intercourse at a young age is sweeping the nation and leaving a harmful trail of negative results. Proposals 423, 475, and 310 all combined to combat against the current terms for sex education. Kelly Close of Pennsylvania, Ainsley Liken of Georgia, and John Aroutiounian of Kentucky all joined forces to unite their similar ideas. The three delegates crafted a proposal to reform the secondary school reproductive health curriculum nationwide. Currently in the United States, funding only exists for abstinence-only sex education. With the delegates proposal, federal funding would be appropriated for comprehensive sex education programs and 12.5 hours of reproductive health and pregnancy prevention education would be enforced throughout the course of high school.

There are a number of controversial issues with this groups proposal. For instance, the amendment that clearly states, “The abortion curriculum shall include visual images of aborted fetuses, so teenagers are allowed to make their own judgement about the nature of sex and what the result of sex often creates and destroys.”

According to John Aroutiounian, “60% of American females and 50% of males have engaged in sexual intercourse. [There have been] 50 million abortions in the United States since 1973. Abortion [is] an option that can cause infertility, miscarriage, and a higher risk of psychological problems.” If this proposal is passed, the delegates expect rates in pregnancy, STDs, and abortion to substantially decrease. The passage of this proposal may not fix every problem immediately, but they may be a step in the right direction.

CONA’s Own Cheerleaders By: Tyler

admin — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:22:24 +0000

If you listen closely during these hot summer days you can hear the sounds of state pride echo through the valleys of Black Mountain. During the week stay at the Conference On National Affairs, delegates enjoy creating chants and cheers to pass the time and display their spirit. A large number of states represented at the conference have crafted enthusiastic cheers that they project at loud volumes in the BRC dining room during the three main meals of the day. Each and every delegation has a unique personality that they add to their cheer. For instance, the state of Texas sings songs that include their state name within the lyrics. Other states, such as Pennsylvania, prefer very simple and easy cheers that incorporate pop culture and memories from different delegates’ high schools. Michael Walker and Carl Feldman, two delegates from the state of Pennsylvania, state that they draw their inspiration and include phrases from singers such as Rihanna, movies like “Remember the Titans,” and a popular television program known as “Rob & Big.” On the other hand, the state of Kentucky has a much different approach. They are known to start dance parties in almost every place they travel, creating fantastic social opportunities for the numerous teenagers attending CONA. Kentucky delegate Rex Martinez boasts of his state’s ability to create entertainment by stating, “We have a stereo, we don’t need a cheer.” Another state that is well known for producing entertainment with their cheers is the sunny state of California. Some states focus on icebreakers and games to help pass the time and assist delegates in becoming acquainted. However, California has cheers. Their spirit chants are usually very clever, witty, and funny. It has been said that “if a California cheer were a person, that person would be sexy.” Some of their cheers are parodies of well-liked songs on the radio, while others are simple call and responses. The majority of California’s cheers represent loyalty and tradition and have been used in previous years. According to Quemars “Q” Ahmed, “[California] cheers come from a much simpler time. A time before Google, a time before Facebook, a time before war, a time with no bailouts, a time way before Jon and Kate Plus Eight.” Quotes like these are prime examples of the light-heartedness of the California delegation. This delegation claims that “once you know a California cheer, you are a Californian.” During the heat infested days at the Blue Ridge Assembly, there are a number of heated debates and controversial proposals; but it is always nice to know that delegates can always take a minute to stop and yell at the top of their lungs in the name of state pride.

Pennsylvania state article by Ryan Brown

bd — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:10:00 +0000

Pennsylvania’s Youth and Government (YAG) program, and by extension their CONA delegation, have a long and proud history. Currently in its 62nd year of operation, YAG is an accurate and detailed representation of the Pennsylvania government system. Meeting every spring at the State Capitol in Harrisburg, the two General Assembly chambers present bills for debate – and pray for support against the governor’s vetoes. An active judicial branch, complete with black robes, consider serious legal issues throughout the weekend-long session, as well.
The most talked-about event every spring, however, is the gubernatorial election for the coming year. This April, Harrisburg native Carl Feldman edged out heavy competition and won the governorship, succeeding previous leader Jeff Mitch of the Pittsburgh area. Pennsylvania’s YAG program is divided between East and West – a division that expressed itself this year in the form of a Penguins fans-vs.-Flyers fans Red Rover match. Nevertheless, the annual conference sees most regional rivalries set aside in the name of effective legislation and statewide unity.
At the end of each session, members are announced for PA’s famed CONA delegation. Armed with a variety of chants and a fiercely proud attitude, Pennsylvania has been known for its interstate rivalries and proclivity for ‘shenanigans.’ For the last several years, the PA kids have successfully kidnapped or deflated Wisconsin’s beloved cow mascot. Pennsylvania isn’t all about pranks and cow-killing; though: their esteemed delegates are known as active and passionate debaters, and as of the time of this article’s writing the vast majority of their bills have survived the committee system. PA is even active in the area of research – advisor and official “unbelievably nice guy” David John is a research aide at the Wired Bear.
In all, Pennsylvania remains the home of a vibrant youth government program and a famous (or infamous) CONA delegation. If you’d like to learn more, they can be found in Asheville Hall, or on the tables at lunch singing ‘Hava Nagila’ – just follow the Pittsburghese accents!