MHS Students Get First-Hand Government Experience at State Capitol
Recently the Mahtomedi delegation of Youth in Government (YIG) traveled to the Minnesota State Capitol to participate in the Minnesota Center for Youth Voices’ 69th session of YIG. The YIG program supports students to explore how state and local government operates, debate the important issues facing their communities, and use their voice and leadership skills to respectfully advocate for issues that are important to them through a student-led enactment of state government at the annual conference.
At the event, students participate in all forms of government spanning from crafting legislation, and law, to being lobbyists. This year's delegation included 18 students from Mahtomedi High School. Natalya Brown (Class of 2025) was a returning member this year and spent her time in the National Issues Forum (NIF). NIF members choose an issue important to them and find a solution which they present in multiple committees in order to get their proposals passed. Natalya shared that she really enjoyed her time and that she’s stayed in contact with new friends from other school districts that she’s met. Her favorite part of the conference was working in our State’s Capitol and arguing her proposal right where state legislators stand when they advocate for new state laws.
This year, YIG advisor David Collova, Social Studies teacher at Mahtomedi High School and YIG students Olivia See (Class of 2024) and Sadie Stembridge (Class of 2024) applied for a seed money grant. The grant is for emerging clubs from the Mahtomedi Area Educational Foundation (MAEF) to help develop its program and purpose. The seed money will be used to help relieve some of the financial costs of participation in the annual, increase outreach for participation, and establish new ways to connect as a group.
One of the great benefits of this program is that it gives students an immersive, first-hand experience to explore a career in state government. YIG also gives students a chance to share their ideas and passions about government with other students in a welcoming environment. Even though the conference is over, YIG is still an ever-present factor in the participants' lives. The program helps students develop their communication and problem-solving skills, and provides a possible career option for when they leave high school.
Written by Eloise Petersen, Class of 2024 student at Mahtomedi High School and Mahtomedi Public Schools Communications Intern.