Final Candidates’ Words of Encouragement and Announcements
By Jasmin Asad and Katie Hammond
KYA is not just a leadership program, it’s a familY. It’s a place where everybody has a voice, and can speak their opinions without judgement. It’s a place where people can come together as a unified community to discuss serious topics. ALL of the candidates have poured their hearts and souls into their campaigns, so please make sure to vote for your favorite! Here are some words of encouragement from our final candidates (this is in no particular order):
Words of Encouragement:
“I mean no matter what positions we get, we’ll always be a family. We really do wish all of us could be on the same PO team, these individuals are like my family, I love them and I’ve only known them for one day!” — James Gunasar (Sayre School)
“I truly believe that any of the seven of us will lead an amazing conference next year. I know I am gaining so many friendships between the candidates and that is the most important thing I could take away. I truly love all these people!!” — Leah Smith (Model Lab High School)
“I know that even after the seven of us are long past our KYA years, each of us are going to make an incredible difference in this changing world. Each of the six other candidates and myself absolutely believe that the students we work with and each other are the future. We simply love each other and know that whoever ends up winning, we’ll make the next KYA teh best one we could possibly provide to our delegates!!” — Andrew Kelmanson (DuPont Manual High School)
“I’m so proud of all of us for all our hard work and commitment to KYA. Any four of these amazing people will do great work next year, and I know that KYA 1 will be in great hands! We are the future and this PO team will create change in our world. I am confident that great things will come, regardless of who is elected.” — Sadie Townsend (Assumption High School)
“There are no words to describe the bond I’ve formed with the other PO candidates. We’ve become not just friends, but a family in a matter of 1 day. I don’t care about the results of the election because I realize I’ve learned so much more from this experience. I’ve learned we’re truly all in this together, and most importantly…. I’ve learned how to spell “candidate” correctly.
- Abby Johnson (Villa Madonna Academy)
“I’m so happy we got to run together. Everyone here will have an amazing time next year. I can’t wait to see each of you in leadership positions down the road. Whatever happens, working with you guys has been such a good experience!!” — Amie Boakye (Sacred Heart Academy)
“I keep repeating myself, but I mean it when I say these people are the coolest I’ve ever met. Even though we’ve known each other for a couple days, I feel like we’ve been friends forever. I can’t wait to see where we go in the world, and the change we will bring. And just thank you guys for making this experience as fun and enjoyable as it could be.” — Noelle Eubanks (Great Crossing High School)
Announcements:
Amie Boakye (Sacred Heart Academy): This year she has been reminded of the incredible capacity of KYA. She wanted it to be the best conference for everyone. She believes KYA is an amazing group of people. As an African American, she’s addressed red lining, civil unrest, human trafficking, and the foster care system. Within every one of her platforms, she has an essential message: by aiding our children we are promoting a healthy environment. By educating our students about trafficking, we are keeping a safe and stable environment. By understanding the impact of systemic racism, we can save victims of our law system. She believes change begins with us.
Leah Smith (Model Lab School): Leah has been a part of KYA since 6th grade, and she stands for voter registration, virtual education assistance, and youth public health. She believes voter registration and voter turnout is very important, and has been proven crucial in this recent 2020 election. Voter registration let’s everyone’s voice be heard. As for virtual education, she wants students to have better experiences. Her last platform is very important to her because she and several friends have struggled with mental and emotional health. She truly believes she’s looking at the future change makers of Kentucky.
Abby Johnson (Villa Madonna Academy): KYA is special to Abby because of the people involved. The people make KYA a safe place from diverse backgrounds to discuss their passions, opinions, and ideas. She addresses rights and equality, climate crisis, and legalization and decriminalization of marijuana. She believes the fight to improve Kentucky doesn’t end there. She considers YMCA her family with love and support. She’s so grateful for KYA because it has created so many positives surrounded in a world of so many negatives. She says, “We’re all in this together!”
Andrew Kelmanson (DuPont Manual): Andrew says he loves all parts of KYA including the bills, comradery, risk taking, songs, and people. He states South Africa drove him to make a difference, and he’s proud of the hard work you all have sacrificed. He states KYA has compassion, courage, hope, and refusal to compromise. Andrew Kelmanson states, “At KYA, I am a Kentuckian”.
Noelle Eubanks (Great Crossing High School): Noelle says we are made of stardust, which is associated with balance, fairness, justice, and equality. In daily life, justice is out of sight when education is not valued, the environment is making us sick, the LGBTQ+ community is being threatened, our friends don’t have the money to pay for medication to survive, the police are not protecting its citizens, and our own citizens are murdered in their own homes. She believes we must work together to address the corruption before us. Noelle says, “We always have each other to rely on.”
James Gunasar (Sayre School): As a child, he had a stutter, but he worked hard to overcome his stutter. James believes Kentucky is going through a rough time right now: our economy is at its worst, blue collared citizens are being ignored, and mental health is never addressed. He believes by legalizing casinos, providing aid and relief to coal counties, and improving mental health care, Kentucky can take flight. He states he is a metaphor for Kentucky, ”It won’t and shouldn’t be easy. Kentucky can progress and has the potential to become the best state.”
Sadie Townsend (Assumption High School): Sadie wants to commend you all for bringing the same Y feel to KYA this year. Her first platform is immigration support by providing important resources such as educational, emotional, and financial support. She will also provide further assistance to non-English speaking immigrants to make their transition to the U.S. easier. Her second platform is higher education reciprocity by providing financial incentives for neighboring states to attend college in Kentucky which will increase our out of state students as well as provide more money to in state students. Her final platform is equitable technology access which will provide students the tools to learn in a virtual environment and will include internet and computer and tutoring assistance. One of the most important lessons she’s learned over quarantine is the importance of time. Time has gotten her closer to things she loves. She believes every minute is valuable. She says, “Spend time wisely.”
