HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH ASSEMBLY
Local Delegations work together on debate practices, service-learning projects, fundraising efforts and State Assembly preparation prior to the State Conference.
The purpose of this three-day learning opportunity is to bring the workings of the Ohio state government alive to students in grades 9-12. Students are given an opportunity to discuss current state issues with state administrators, elected officials, and students from other schools throughout the state.
Each conference is led by teens elected to office by their fellow representatives. Held annually at the Statehouse in Columbus. Volunteers and the YMCA Staff, help guide the students through mock committee meetings and procedures. Students debate and vote on the bills that their fellow peers have written and presented. Bills that pass in committee are then taken to the floor of the House or Senate for full debate and vote.
Youth hold offices of Governor, Speaker of the House and President of the Senate. Participants also engage in campaigns and elections for officers who will serve during the following year.
Sample Youth and Government Schedule
Program Areas
Executive Branch
The Executive Branch Program allows students the opportunity to experience the executive branch of state government in Ohio.
During the State Assembly, opportunities for students to participate include serving as the Youth Governor or on the Governor’s Cabinet. Elections take place during the Youth Assembly to elect the Youth Governor, who will then serve for next year.
Students can also apply to be a part of the Governor’s Cabinet. The Governor’s Cabinet assists the Governor in promoting their agenda and legislation that they want to see passed. They will help the governor interview authors of bills that have passed both senate and house to make a decision to pass or veto the bills. If students are interested, they should select “Governor’s Cabinet” as their first choice on their conference application. They should also fill out the application linked below. Candidates may be asked to interview with the Youth Governor.
Judicial Program
The goal of the Judicial Program is to expose high school students to the formal judicial process. The program promotes leadership through a Chief Justice and the use of practicing attorneys who not only judge the students, but also serve as mentors. The Judicial Program also promotes collaboration and compromise through the use of teams of attorneys and teams of judges working together to accomplish their goals.
Legislative Program
The Legislative Program is based as closing as possible to the Ohio General Assembly. The program strives to turn the ideas of Ohio youth into formal laws by writing, debating, and voting on legislation according to the specific rules and procedures.
Lobbyist Program
The goal of the Lobbyist Program is to promote the ideas of the civic involvement and leadership. Students engage in research, preparation of issue position papers, legislative proposal packets and persuasive speaking to advocate their issues before committee meetings, and one-on-one interaction with members of the Youth General Assembly. Further, the Lobbyist Program encourages collaboration and compromise as lobbyist work with other participants in Youth Assembly, as well as each other, to achieve their goals.
Media Program
Participants engage in actual writing, interviewing, commentary, editing, photography, graphics, production of a website and video news report. Students should select “Media” as their first choice when they register for conference. They will also need to fill out a separate application (to be linked here when it is available) and submit a sample of their work on the form by January 19th, 2024.
2024 State Assembly Information
State Assembly Dates: February 29th – March 2nd OR March 21st – March 23rd.
Cost: $405 (Financial Aid Application available here)
State Assembly Location: Renaissance Columbus Downtown Hotel & State House
Deadlines: Register by January 12th, 2024 (Early Conference) or February 2nd, 2024 (Late Conference). A late registration period (registrants will be charged an additional $25) will close on January 29th (Early Conference) or February 19th (Late Conference). Bills should be submitted here by Wednesday January 31st (Early Conference) or Wednesday, February 21st (Late Conference). A unique link will be sent to advisors via email to see their roster of registrants and bill submissions.
Registration Includes: Thursday Lunch, Friday Dinner, access to the Conference App, conference t-shirt, sitting in the hallowed chambers of the Statehouse, tons of fun and lifelong friendships!