Opening Session

By: Audrey Spillman

As is the typical and sporadic tradition, we start 2019’s KYA HS2 on a high note — with a fire alarm. But that’s not the only fiery predisposition to speak of; delegates from all around the state are gathered here, yet again, with at least one passion in common. They all use their voice to create change; they all have a passion for leadership. The building shakes as the delegates scream out the letters “KYA” in response to the governor’s questions about where you go to be heard, where students can enact change, and where we all belong.

This year, we reflect on what truly matters — the years of memories we have all made together, the ideas we’ve shared, and the issues that hold the most passion in our hearts. New and old faces alike can agree that this conference has the power to change lives.

According to this year’s KYA governor, Joe Hettinger, not only is the theme of this year’s KYA reflection, but “this KYA is about having fun, and speaking your mind.” Reflection is important now, for those of us who have gone to KYA since the beginning, and it will be useful for all of us later when we look back on the friends we met here, the things we learned through the conference, and the memories we’ve all forged together. You may not be able to remember every bill in your book, but you sure will remember the bill that passed after you’d been rooting for it the whole time. You’ll remember the first speech you gave in front of dozens of peers.

“Self-expression is paramount,” says the Secretary of State, Patrick Haycraft. The students who elect to come to this conference have a strong sense of who they are and what they want to achieve in the state and the Nation, more so than students of any other kind. Our friends shape us as much as we shape ourselves, and when some of us have so many friends when we only see at KYA, we sometimes become different people, able to share jokes that were made here, memories amongst specific officers, and passions that you and a bill author bonded over.

Ahead of us, we have another promising KYA to learn from and celebrate, and to make new memories in. These delegates are certainly going to make the most of it, learning from each other and becoming more involved along the way.