The Indescribable Feeling
Waking up on November 24, 2019, was just like waking up on Christmas morning when I was a kid. Being so excited to walk to the living room to see what Santa has brought me. But only now, at the age of 16, I was going to KYA, not the living room. I threw on some comfy clothes and drove to the school to get on the bus and embark on an hour and a half journey to the Crowne Plaza, finally the moment I had been waiting for since I last left it on December 1st,2019.
Soon that afternoon we arrived and I got my suitcase as fast as I could and ran through the doors because I couldn’t wait any longer to see friends from past conferences see how they’ve grown, what they’ve done in their schools and in the Y, to see what role they will be in this year.
After a great first night of debate and the closing session adjourned, we all return to our rooms for the night, awaiting the next morning. If you were a blue tag, like me, you woke up bright and early to load a bus and head to the Capitol. When coming down the road and finally turning to see the Capitol, it takes my breath away — not only the simplistic beauty but the fact that WE as high school-aged students are taking on the “big people’s” seats. Our state legislature, we are sitting in their seats, using their microphones, we are being them for a day. Because one day, that will be us for real. Getting off the bus and walking up the Capitol steps I get goosebumps. Because what we are doing in this building, being changemakers making our futures better is not able to be measured by words. The lively debate takes place in the Annex, Senate, and the house of representatives. Then all sessions are adjourned.
When leaving the capital, it is disheartening, but I know that the fun and debate is not over. we go eat an amazing lunch at Claudia Sanders and then return to the hotel for some more debate.
At the commencement of debate we get our free time to hang out with our delegation, other delegations, make more friends, or just go in the main hallway and here all the candidates for PO running around like chickens with their heads cut off scrambling for votes.
We yet again have dinner and go and participate in the silent dance, fun, and games, talent stage, chill rooms, movies, and GaGa ball. Most importantly we vote on the next PO team! Soon after the fun ends we go to the general assembly, taking in every last detail of our only full day and soon head back to the rooms once again.
Next thing we know it is Tuesday, November 26th, 2019 our dreaded last day. For most of us, we will be lucky enough to return next year but for our beloved seniors, their long journey has come to a dead end. We all crowd together in the Crowne ballroom for Closing Session and hold onto every last moment. After all the awards are given out, the new PO is recognized, sworn in, and then the new governor adjourns HS KYA 3. Personally, when the new governor rings the gavel my gut wrenches, I feel every beat in my chest because I know that the conference is truly over no matter how bad I want to stay, I have to leave and wait until the next year to come back to my favorite place on earth.
