The Kentucky Youth Assembly (KYA) is a three-day experiential learning program in which students serve as part of a model state government. KYA offers students the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of issues, develop critical thinking skills, and articulate their beliefs while engaging constructively with their peers from around the Commonwealth.

Bottom row left to right: Katie Jones, Cheyenne Neal, Delaney Chilton, Jaden Mullins, Megan Dishman, Reagan Thrasher, Hayden Garrett. Second row left to right: Gracey Neal, Sydnee Albertson, Christina Speck, Christian Derryberry, Bobbianne Key, Abbi Burchett. Third row left to right: Brittney Stearns, Rhealey Elmore, Makenzie Kerney, Abi Young, Haleigh Irwin, Rachel Sawyers, Dalton Gregory. Not Pictured: Tagan Garner.

The following is an account of the experience as written by Y Club member Jaden Mullins:

The sun was just barely coming up when the Y-Club kids loaded up the school bus and headed to Louisville, Kentucky on Sunday, November 8th.

The long bus ride was all worth it though. After what felt like an eternity, the bus pulled in to the Crowne Plaza. They unloaded the bus to start the first day of KYA.

While the bill sponsors got prepared to present their bill, tension and nervousness were definitely lingering as they stepped up to the podium. After three long agonizing, stressful, and amazing minutes crept by, the delegates ranked the bill.

The bill sponsors were finished for the first day. General Assembly then met to discuss the top ranked bills. Although Dalton Gregory didn’t advance to be the conference’s governor and only one of our bills were passed, everyone was proud of our accomplishments.

The next day was mostly the same; getting up at the crack of dawn, debating bills, and long meetings. As the day dragged on, every delegate had only one thing on their mind; the mixer.

The mixer is a time to let go of all the problems you had during the conference and have a great time with music, games, karaoke, and amazing friends, new and old.

Before the members knew it, it was another early morning. But, this morning was different, they were going home. Christian Derryberry, Makenzie Kerney, Abbi Young, Sydney Albertson, Haleigh Irwin, and the CCMS Y-Club all got awards. We were all very, very excited. As we said goodbye, some of us for the last time, we felt like we had accomplished a whole lot. This was the end to this year’s KYA conference.

As part of Y-Club, we do service projects throughout the school year, recycling being one of them. We applied for a grant to help fund the recycling bins we needed badly. As a result of getting the grant, we, of course, celebrated.

On Friday 13th, the whole school gathered in the gym for a Pride Rally. The theme was Wall-E. Y-Club chose this theme because if we do not start recycling, Wall-E’s World will become ours. We had Scotty the Dog and Wall-E there to help get the crowd fired up. And, boy, the crowd was fired up, yelling in favor of which team that wanted to win the recycling relay race. We talked and played a game, giving away recycled pencils made of blue jeans and money, as prizes. As they closed it out, they stressed the importance of recycling because, as much as Wall-E’s World sounds exciting, none of us would want to live there. So join the Y-Club members and take a stand for a better Earth. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

By Jaden Mullins, Y-club