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Apply now for state Youth Legislative Assembly

From the N.C. Department of Administration

Published: January 16, 2009

The Youth Advocacy and Involvement Office of the N.C. Department of Administration will accept applications through Feb. 12 for the 39th annual Youth Legislative Assembly (YLA), to be held March 13-15 in Raleigh.

YLA is an opportunity for North Carolina high school students to write, debate and vote on bills and share their views with legislators and other state government officials. General Sessions will be held at the Legislative Office Building, Room 643, with other activities at the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel.

Following procedures used by members of the N.C. General Assembly, participants will work in one of 10 committees before gathering for general sessions. Among the items to be considered are bills to: legalize the institution of civil unions; require every North Carolina public school system to offer a foreign language program in primary schools; require a minimum refundable deposit on recyclable, individually-sealed beverage containers; reform the gun show loophole; and institute a syringe exchange program. A YLA final report will be sent to the Governor, members of the General Assembly and other key state leaders.

Presiding over this year's YLA will be tri-speakers Seth Morris, a senior at Salisbury High School in Salisbury; David Freifeld, a senior at Enloe High School in Raleigh; and Elgin Giles, a junior at West Johnson High School in Benson.

The per-student fee of $125 (four students in one room) or $165 (two students in one room) covers hotel accommodations for two nights, five meals, a T-shirt and conference materials. Fees must be included with the application and will increase after Feb. 12. Written notice of acceptance or denial of registration will be provided by March 2.

YLA 2009 sponsors are the N.C. Cable Telecommunications Association, the John William Pope Foundation, Progress Energy and the N.C. Sheriff's Association. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

To download registration forms, visit the Youth Advocacy and Involvement Office web site at http://www.doa.state.nc.us/yaio/ylaconf.htm. A list of the 10 committees and proposed legislation from each committee is online, as is information and registration forms for adult chaperones. For more information, contact YLA Coordinator Cynthia Giles at 919-789-5880 or Cynthia.Giles@doa.nc.gov.