Hundreds of teenagers learn about state government firsthand in Missouri’s capital

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KFVS) – More than 500 teenagers from across Missouri are giving up their weekend to learn about politics and government.

The YMCA Youth and power conference in Jefferson City is in full swing. Hundreds of students in grades 8-12 came to the capital to find out for themselves what it is like to be a legislator, a judge or even a reporter. This program is available to Missouri students each year. If you or your student would like to participate, contact your school or local YMCA.

The program is fully managed by student-elected leaders, this year it’s House Speaker Isaac Basi and Lt. Gov. Stephen Niklawski. Both are high school students.

“I wanted to learn what it’s like to walk the corridors of our capital city and learn how this process works from a first-person perspective,” Niklawski said.

People stay in the program for a long time, like Amber Pieterin, who participated in the program when she was a student and has now been volunteering with the organization for 10 years.

“The motto of the whole program is that every generation should learn about democracy,” Peterein said. “It really gives them an opportunity to flex their leadership muscles and get a feel for what government should be like.”

Students introduce, debate, and vote on bills using the same rules as the Missouri Legislature. They even discuss topics that real lawmakers debate every day, including petition reform, women’s rights, and the death penalty.

“Last year, my bill was about abolishing the death penalty in the state of Missouri,” Basi said.
“The bill fortunately made it to the House floor where I was able to discuss it with other delegates from other schools and answer questions and stuff and use all that research to pass my bill.”

As students graduate from both the program and high school, their experiences in the state capital lead them to consider careers in politics.

“I already plan to study political science, and then I plan to become a political consultant or work in our nation’s capital,” Niklawski said.