KYA, or Kentucky Youth Assembly, is a 3-day conference in Louisville where students get to serve as a part of a model state government. During the conference, the delegation travels to the Capitol in Frankfort and debates the top-rated bills written by the students in the actual senate and house chambers, and the rest back at the hotel where the conference is hosted. The conference is split up into two age groups: Bluegrass (Freshmen and Sophomores) and Commonwealth (Juniors and Seniors).

Those attending KYA can choose to author a bill and have it debated at the conference. This year, we had, or sponsored two bills. The first bill, the Bluegrass Bill was written by Emmanuel Hernandez(10), Anna Ward(9), and Claire Pinkston(9). It was a bill hoping to raise the minimum wage in Kentucky. The Commonwealth Bill was written by Allison Miller(11), Tony Brock(11), and Adie Preston(11). It hoped to prevent the work of minors in the tobacco industry, and was chosen to be debated at the Capitol on the second day.

Besides writing a bill or just debating, there are many other positions that those attending KYA can hold. Committee Chairs, represented by WCHS by Tessa Brengleman(12), run the debate and designate who gets to speak, as well as count to see whether or not a bill passes. Parliamentarians can either be a clerk, who helps the chair run the debate, or be a doorkeeper. The parliamentarian from Woodford was Sarah Potts(12). The media corps keep record of the conference, through pictures and news stories. Those from Woodford in the media were Sophie Edelen(12), who was chosen to be an Assistant Editor, and Logan Craig(10). Lobbyists, represented by WCHS by Christine Slover(12), try to urge the committee chairs or committees  to pass or veto a bill by speaking with them and backing up their arguments. Attorneys, a team of 1-3 people, present oral arguments before the Supreme Court and advise the Attorney General on the constitutionality of bills. The Woodford team was made up of Abigail Cheek(11), Abigail Mortell(11), and Parker Raybourne(12). Mortell was chosen to debate further on the last day, ranked as one of the highest Attorneys at the conference. Finally, you can run for office, to be one of the people that runs the whole conference. Woodford had a candidate this year, Erin Lawson(11), but unfortunately she lost in a very close election.

However the conference is not only about debating and meetings. Those attending the conference have many opportunities to meet students from different schools all around the state. The Education Fair helps delegates learn about each others’ bills, as well as get to know each other. The mixer and free time, after debate, also give delegates more opportunities to socialize. I’ve been doing KYA since I was in 6th grade,” said Allison Miller (11), “I enjoy seeing my friends that I don’t usually get to see because they go to different schools.”

Y-Club is always looking for new people; if you are interested, check for the next meeting!