INA, IL – State Senator Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) welcomed around 50 high school students from 18 schools to Rend Lake College on October 10 as part of her annual Youth Advisory Council.
“I hope the students leave this fall session with an understanding that they can get involved in state government, even if that is just on one issue that is important to them,” said Senator Bryant. “If these students come out of this knowing that they have options to make their voices heard and engage in our governmental process, then we have accomplished what we set out to do with this program.”
Sen. Bryant’s Youth Advisory Council is a hands-on experience designed to teach local area students about public policy, state government, and leadership. High schools within the 58th Senate District nominate students who have shown an interest in government and public service.
“I wanted to come to this event for the aspect of being able to understand government a little better than I already knew,” said Wayne City High School Student Quinn Shock. “Getting the chance to go to this event gets you hands-on experience in lawmaking and the ability to talk to the people in positions of power within our state’s government.”
“I wanted to attend the Youth Advisory Council so I could be more informed about my local government and know what’s happening within that local government,” said Columbia High School Student Zander Nowell. “Getting a better understanding of what’s happening around me, instead of what’s happening on a national stage, will help me better understand what I can do to be a part of that.”
In the morning students heard from successful community leaders, including Rend Lake College VP of Academic and Student Services Buster Leeck, State Representative David Friess, Jefferson County Board Member Fisher Overstreet, Appellate Court Judge Barry Vaughan, Congressman Mike Bost’s District Director Katie Main, and Meridian Health Chief Financial Officer Ryan Litteken. Students then broke into groups, where they were asked to work together to develop ideas for possible new state legislation to present to the full Youth Advisory Council.
“I feel like this is a great event. You learn so much that you wouldn’t have known or learned otherwise,” said Mt. Vernon High School Student Truman Carnine. “Being able to, one, have a good group of people to work with, and number two, being able to do that successfully is very important. So, I feel like that’s a main skill that I’ll take away.”
Sen. Bryant spent time during the group discussion with each small group, helping students with their proposals and offering advice on how they could advocate for their issues. When the students presented their ideas, Sen. Bryant helped spur further debate by asking the groups questions about their legislation.
“I think it was a great experience,” said Valmeyer High School Student Meia Jaggie. “I had a great time, I liked listening to everyone speak, learning different perspectives, and I think it’s very interesting learning about all these things.”
The students voted to choose one of the proposals to take up in a mock committee hearing at their next meeting, which will be held in the spring at the State Capitol.