"Confidence and Filibusters" Anonymous

Considering that I was hesitant about joining and wanted to quit several times during my freshmen year, the YMCA Youth in Government program has had a huge impact on my life, and is the most influential extracurricular activity I have ever participated in. Not only has it given me a job, a chance to run the State Capitol for the weekend, and connections with Supreme Court justices and legislators, it has also given me pride: pride for myself, my city, my state, and my country. It has given me confidence: confidence that I do have an opinion and my opinion does count for something. Youth in Government has given me the ability to profoundly express my thoughts: the ability to articulate my thoughts and use my communication skills to make a difference.

Youth in Government has enhanced my understanding of the democratic process like no civics class ever could. Not only do I understand finer details such as how bills are routed, I now comprehend all of the nuances that go along with moving a bill through the legislative process. I know how to put someone on trial, how to impeach a governor, how to fast-track bills on the docket – perhaps the only legislative tool we have not used in Youth in Government is the filibuster. The program...