December 16, 2024
Middle School students recently participated in the Kentucky Youth Assembly (KYA). Sophia Lee ’28 led the conference as KYA governor. She was elected to this position last year and returned to lead this year’s conference. Charlotte Merrill ’29 led the conference as a committee chair, and Zoe Flodder ’30 ran a campaign for KYA governor.
Cora Rust ’29, Beatrice Merrill ’29, and Tilly Maynard ’29 presented a bill on divorce during pregnancy. Evie Ewen ’29, Calissa Yao ’29, Cara Yao ’30, and Lucas Yan ’29 presented a bill on PFA removal. Ben Schissler ’30, Finnegan Lierley ’30, and Arlo Harvey ’30 presented a bill on gun storage. Mack Hill ’30 and Grace Levine ’30 presented a bill on suicide prevention. The Senate and House of Representatives passed all of these bills, and the KYA governor endorsed them.
Nylah Fowler ’30 and Abigail Veliquette ’30 presented a bill to eliminate the pink tax. After the Senate and House of Representatives passed their bill, the KYA governor vetoed it. Fortunately, they persuaded the 1,300 students at the General Assembly to override the governor’s veto!
Nylah Folwer ’30, Mack Hill ’30, and Susannah Ruschell ’31 won Outstanding Speaker. This award goes to the top delegates most frequently nominated by advisors based on their presence and performance in committees and chambers and their behavior exemplifying the Y’s four core values.
Evie Ewen ’29 won Outstanding Delegate. This award is given to one delegate per school based on their presence and performance before and at the conference and on their behavior exemplifying the Y’s four core values.
Finally, our entire delegation won the award for Outstanding Statesmanship! The Outstanding Statesmanship is awarded to a Premier Delegation recognized by its peers as having the highest overall quality of contribution to the debate.
We are so proud of all our students!