She campaigned, they voted, and she made history…

YFS’ NEW MAYORLauryn, pictured above, is one of 13 teenagers at Albert Einstein High School’s after-school program that have worked to research and craft legislation in preparation for the 2015 Youth & Government Legislative Weekend, held April 24-25 in Washington, DC.  This year, Lauren joined  more than 40 YFS sponsored youth in this YMCA program.

Lauryn, and more than 50,000 students nation-wide, have spent countless hours researching public policy issues. Some of these issues included serving only healthy lunches in school, marijuana legalization, integrating bilingual students in classrooms and other public policy topics.

Legislative Weekend is an opportunity for Lauryn and other students to propose bills they have created to a Committee composed of their peers. Despite the initial fear and anxiety about how their ideas would be received, they stood in front of other student leaders and debated with courage and enthusiasm.

In 2002, the District of Columbia became the 43rd delegation to join the program and challenged students from Maryland, Virginia, and DC to become ethical leaders and responsible citizens. This year, Lauryn was elected by her peers to become the DC Youth Mayor. This is the first time since the programs’ inception that a student from YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES has held this position.

Lauryn’s delegation has many students with at least two years experience in the program. There were also first timers, who had no idea what to expect. Initially, Shana McFarlane, a junior and first-time participant, was extremely nervous this year about proposing her bill.  After practicing her opening statement and learning best techniques for debating, she overcame her fear, confidently proposing her legislation to the student Committee, the City Council and to the Mayor.  In each case it passed.

 

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