The Bluegrass Candidate Speeches: Two Passionate Young Women
By: Ella Abney
Each year at KYA a select few brave candidates run for Presiding Officer so that they may hold the position of Lieutenant Governor. This year there are only two candidates: Ella Lester of Hopkinsville High School and Emma Ahmed of Greenwood High School. Each candidate spoke in front of all Bluegrass Delegates this evening, and each young woman shared their platforms and passions.
Following the openings by Claire Moore (Lieutenant Governor), Abby Moss (Speaker of the Bluegrass House), and Alex Young (President of the Bluegrass Senate), Ella Lester delivered her speech. Lester warmed up the crowd by quoting Drake as she stated, “Everyone has an addiction, mine just happened to be success.” Her speech discussed drug rehabilitation, feeding less fortunate families, and specialized career-ready academics. When asked about her conspiracy regarding the fire alarm earlier in the day, she stated, “Someone tried to make Mac and Cheese in the microwave without water.” Lester also described that the YMCA has improved her public speaking skills, made her more outgoing, and educated her about Kentucky’s government. When asked about her competition, Lester admires Ahemd’s confidence and knowledge.
Emma Ahmed followed Lester describing her “finger-lickin’ good” platforms: removing the civics test, lowering illiteracy rates, and closing the excellence gap. Ahmed stated that her role as a candidate has improved her speaking skills and has helped her build connections. The Media Corp Team interviewed a delegate named Taylor Gwynett from Russellville County High School who admired Ahmed’s passion toward improving education, and Chloe Grayson, a Bill Author from Warren County, who appreciated Ahmed’s literacy driven platforms as her bill (BG42) advocated for such. Ahmed closed by humorously stating, “Keep in mind my Kentucky Fried Campaign and think ahead with Colonel Ahmed.”
Because only two candidates are running this year, both candidates will win a role as Presiding Officer. Subsequently, the Bluegrass Delegates were left with spare time tonight, so the Bluegrass P.O. team developed their bill for a mock debate. Their bill discussed TikTok, an extremely popular entertainment app used by a majority of teenagers. Alex Young, an ‘author’ of the bill stated that ‘TikTok is the absolute degradation of our society.” There were several speeches in opposition to the bill, and ultimately, the bill did not pass. However, the Presiding Officers were able to educate and engage the entire Bluegrass delegation, making debate wholesome and fun. Before dismissal, a volunteer rose to the podium and asked if the entire Bluegrass chamber would sing “Take Me Home, Country Road,” and it was indeed sung. The program of candidate speeches was filled with smiles, arguments, and passion leaving the underclassmen of KYA unified.
