Candidates Commonwealth
By: Grace Ann-Pruitt
When a young delegate walks into the slightly intimidating doors of the Crowne Plaza they feel the anxiety coming from all the ladies towering in their heels or the gentleman’s distinct professionalism. They are originally unaware of what is behind those blazers and bow ties. Here in the Y-Club, we are a family. Where getting up to speak in front of total strangers is as simple as talking at Thanksgiving dinner with your family. Here at KYA HS2, no one embodies this affable attitude than the commonwealth candidates for presiding officer. After speaking to many of them today I could see the true impact Y-Club has made on them and the people they have affected throughout their many years involved in KYA.
After speaking with these passionate leaders I could see the true reason behind why they wanted to run for presiding officer: unity. See they didn’t run for clout or for the glory, all nine candidates said that their motive for running is just to make a change in this great commonwealth. The candidates also are very close, they can be seen sitting together, laughing together and having an overall good time with the people who are their supposed “rivals.” When asked of their favourite memory in the Y-Club the answers are varied. Candidate Jake Rogers recalls it as seeing another candidate, Darby Greenwell, and being super excited to see a friendly face even if they are running for the same position. Whereas candidate Caroline Evans says her favourite was the time she went up to speak during her first KYA conference and was “physically shaking.” She recalled the chair inside the committee (a perfect stranger) just looking at her and reassuring her that it was going to be okay.
As a candidate, delegates must be relatable and a guiding hand in the twisted path of their KYA. As current governor, Joe Hettinger, said: “You should definitely be a friend, before you are a candidate.” Candidate Ben Dalton appealed to his audience by embellishing teen cultural references inside his Red Tag candidate speech. Darby Greenwell recalls a former delegate and friend catching up to her and told her how she inspired them to run for a presiding officer in their own conference. Candidate Karenna Chaudoin says “just KYA as a whole” is her favourite memory. There is no questioning the undeniable passion for leadership and making a change in this Y-conference but what lies underneath the blazers and bow ties is nothing more than friendly and encouraging smiles welcoming you to a place some may call “home.”
