Commonwealth Candidate Recap
Kathryn Squyres
We spoke to all of the Commonwealth and Bluegrass candidates over the past two days to hear more about their platforms and their passion for KYA. We got some great responses from each candidate and have transcribed the interviews below. We commend all candidates for their dedication to this program and wish them all the best of luck in their election tomorrow!
Emma Ahmed:
Q: Could you go into more detail about your platforms? What specifically would you like to be done to account for your policies?
A: For my transportation policy, I would specifically like more walking and biking paths to be in metro areas because that’s where traffic is the worst with motor vehicles. For my civics test platform, the civics test adds more stress on Kentucky teachers, students, and administration than it’s worth when students are already learning about it in their core history classes. My final platform is closing the excellence gap, and I would like to incentivise teachers for getting kids to the advanced level along with the standard.
Q: How has KYA impacted your life?
A: Firstly, I’ve met some great friends through KYA, and it has taught me more about government than I could have ever experienced in a classroom. Mostly, it has helped me become comfortable with myself. I used to be very scared and timid, and I wasn’t good at public speaking. However, now I love speaking in front of crowds, which some people think is weird, but I genuinely enjoy it; I have KYA to thank for that.
Q: What has been the most fun part about your campaign? What has been the hardest?
A: The hardest part was probably choosing between all of the different platform options. I’m very passionate about several subjects, and having to limit them to only three felt restricting. The most fun thing about my campaign at first was designing the media side of it, but now that I’m at the conference, the best part is getting to have roaming privileges so I can go around and speak on all of the different bills.
Q: Are any of your platforms personal to you? If so, could you explain how?
A: My platform about closing the excellence gap is the most personal to me. I enjoy volunteering regularly at the Boys and Girls Club, and some of the kids come from not as great of backgrounds as others are blessed with. These kids are just as intelligent as the others, and I believe they should have the same opportunities as everyone else.
Lilia Saxena-Smithson:
Q: Could you go into more detail about your platforms? What specifically would you like to be done to account for your policies?
A: My three platforms are advancing infrastructure, reducing concentrative poverty, and improving Commonwealth health. I want to see a more equitable Kentucky for all of our citizens, and these are three great ways we can target that. They’re all interlocked issues. By enhancing our infrastructure, we can get access to these communities and reduce our poverty while also getting greater access to needed resources.
Q: How has KYA impacted your life?
A: KYA (and all other Y Programs) have allowed me to embrace my potential as a changemaker. KYA has given me an accelerated opportunity to learn that I do have the power to make a difference. With all of these civic-minded students, we really have the potential to change the state.
Q: What has been the most fun part about your campaign? What has been the hardest?
A: The most fun part about my campaign has definitely been the networking. I am lucky to be in a room with so many bright-minded students, and getting this opportunity to simply walk around and chat with them about their policy ideas has been such a special moment for me. I’ve not only been able to discuss passions with these people, but I’ve also become friends with many of them, frequently exchanging Snapchats. Being a candidate has really allowed me to further my connections. The hardest part was going over the bills. Before the conference, I sat down and read every bill. I want to understand every bill because I know how much work goes into creating and presenting them. I want to make sure that when I give a speech, it is relevant and I’m not simply going up to talk. Although it’s been taxing, I’ve enjoyed every second of it.
Q: Are any of your platforms personal to you? If so, could you explain how?
A: The one I feel the most connection to is the Commonwealth health platform. Throughout this pandemic, my “healthcare heroes”, aka my parents, are in the medical field. It’s come to my attention that if we have healthier citizens, we could better protect them and the lives of healthcare workers from the pandemic. There are healthcare workers all over the state risking their lives every day to protect others, and we need to protect them too.
Coral Ghrist:
Q: Could you go into more detail about your platforms? What specifically would you like to be done to account for your policies?
A: One of my platforms is Kentucky’s environment, but that is broadly speaking. I think that there should be specific funding put towards natural parks and ensuring that we have enough green spaces around schools. It has been shown that if students experience the natural environment more, they’re able to focus better and have less mental health concerns.
Q: How has KYA impacted your life?
A: KYA has impacted my life since sixth grade by instilling me with more confidence and the ability to share my opinions with others. It’s also given me a community where I feel welcome and safe to be myself.
Q: What has been the most fun part about your campaign? What has been the hardest?
A: The most fun part has definitely been debating. I love being able to raise my placard and give a pro speech every time. The most difficult part is trying to connect with people while still social distancing. I always hesitate to go up to other schools because people are still trying to keep their distance. However, I still am making a lot of new friends, and it’s been wonderful.
Q: Are any of your platforms personal to you? If so, could you explain how?
A: My platform about Gender Equity is extremely personal to me. I identify with they/them pronouns, and I believe in not just women’s rights, but all gender rights. I think that if people live in a safe space and have more opportunities at school to break free from “traditional roles”, it will allow people to expand into places they never would have . Empowering people of all gender identities will allow for a more supportive commonwealth.
Carly Chaudoin:
Q: Could you go into more detail about your platforms? What specifically would you like to be done to account for your policies?
A: So, my first platform is student mental health awareness. Statistics show that students are not receiving the mental health help/treatment they need. In my school, there’s a huge stigma with mental health, so what I want to work to do is to make sure that students are given the resources they need, whether it be guidance counselors trained in mental health or resources on district webpages. My second platform is voter registration and turnout. In Christian County, there was only a 43% voter turnout in the 2020 election. I think what attributes to that is getting the information out when it’s not time to vote; leading up to elections, there’s always tons of publicity, but in the off years, there isn’t much information. I would like to call upon the Kentucky State Board of Elections to run a social media/television/radio campaign to encourage all potential voters registered and at the polls. My third platform is a state-wide platform concerning the opioid crisis. In Kentucky, physicians are prescribing nearly 70 out of 100 of their patients with opioids. Kentucky is also ranked top ten in America for most drug overdoses. With the cycle of abuse, once you start, it is hard to stop. I would like to call upon the Kentucky Medical Oversight Board to see if there are any alternatives to the opioids or to make sure their patients who are on opioids are using them correctly.
Q: How has KYA impacted your life?
A: I’ve been going to KYA since I was in sixth grade. My very first time going, I knew that it was something I was going to be a part of throughout high school and even afterwards; I’d love to come back as a volunteer just to work with such passionate people. It’s changed my life because I’ve been given the opportunity to speak up for what I believe in. Every time I come to KYA, I learn something new, meet new people, and fall in love with it. I will forever be thankful for the opportunities KYA has given me.
Q: What has been the most fun part about your campaign? What has been the hardest?
A: The most fun part is meeting new people. I’m able to go up to someone and just start a conversation with someone; I honestly think that if I wasn’t a candidate I might not be doing that. KYA is a great opportunity to meet new people, and that’s what I enjoy doing. The hardest part about my campaign was coming back from COVID. I didn’t know how it would be. I expected it to be a lot different from previous years. This is my seventh KYA, but with all of the new rules and regulations, I wasn’t sure I could expect familiarity. Now that I’m at the conference, that’s an issue that has resolved itself.
Q: Are any of your platforms personal to you? If so, could you explain how?
A: Mental health is something that I’ve struggled with since fourth grade. I never felt that I had the resources that I really needed until I found them myself. I know countless people who silence their mental health concerns, making it so much worse. Because of this, I really wanted to be an advocate for mental health resources because of my own struggles with it. Although I can’t vote yet, my parents have always been involved in various political organizations in my community, strengthening my belief that everyone should use their voice to vote.
Elle Moses:
Q: Could you go into more detail about your platforms? What specifically would you like to be done to account for your policies?
A: My first platform was mental health accessibility for teens, so I’m wanting to work on getting social workers in schools. My school only has one social worker for around 1600 students, and it puts a lot of stress on that individual as well as students who must wait for an appointment. Telehealth opportunities that are affordable are another important step because telehealth can be quite expensive, and the affordable ones currently are switching to automated messages that do little for its callers. Lastly, getting therapy in schools is crucial. My second platform covers green opportunities in schools. I am one of the officers for my school’s Solar Panel Coalition, and we’re working to raise money for solar panels at our school. Starting clubs like this in other schools will boost youth involvement in environmental preservation. The same goes for recycling programs. Small steps that cost little will lead us in the right direction. My last platform is banning conversion therapy in Kentucky. I have a lot of friends who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community, making this bill incredibly important to me. It’s vital that all people have a safe place to grow up in.
Q: How has KYA impacted your life?
A: I started coming to KYA my sixth grade year. During that time, I was going through a rough patch in my life; I was struggling with school and family, but it really gave me a place to put my voice out there. I always felt meek and like I shouldn’t have a voice, but coming to KYA showed me something new about myself. It’s been an outlet where I can be myself and escape whatever worries are going on in my life. I also really appreciate The Y as a whole. The Y Staff has always been so welcoming, and the people have become my best friends.
Q: What has been the most fun part about your campaign? What has been the hardest?
A: The most fun part of my campaign has been the networking. Once I got here, I met so many great people, and I’m so excited to be back in person with everyone. Being virtual is definitely not the same as in-person, so I’m happy to see familiar faces from last year. The hardest part about it was knowing where I wanted to start. I had a lot of ideas, but getting the words on paper and getting a defined plan together was difficult. Now thatI’ve got it together, I’m having a great time.
Q: Are any of your platforms personal to you? If so, could you explain how?
A: All three of mine are very personal to me, but the mental health accessibility one is the most important to me. I suffer from severe anxiety, and that’s been a huge part of my life. I’ve finally been able to get medication for it, which is one step in the right direction, but I believe everyone should have the right to this help.
Talbott Dilger:
Q: Could you go into more detail about your platforms? What specifically would you like to be done to account for your policies?
A: For my first one, which is food + sleep = success, a lot of people don’t have access to the correct nutritional food they need to be productive and healthy. There is a bill about food deserts that perfectly lines up with my views. When speaking about shelter [second platform], I’m talking about the homelessness issue we have. This is obviously a problem nation-wide, but it is definitely a big problem in Kentucky. My platform not only covers homelessness, but also people whose homes are damaged (poor roofing, poor insulation). If Kentuckians are worried about where they’re gonna sleep at night, you’re not going to be productive or able to hold a job. Getting people in safe housing is definitely a priority. My third platform is the citizen police project; in recent years we’ve seen a disconnect between police officers and the communities at large. My goal would be primarily to require better training (both at the police academy level and retroactively for active officers). It would be in coordination with civil rights organizations like the Urban League. It would also allow officers to be equipped to deal with their communities so that people can be comfortable with them.
Q: How has KYA impacted your life?
A: I’ve been coming to KYA for a number of years; I originally went because my friends were going, but it’s really helped me with public speaking. The first time you force yourself to get up and speak about a bill can be shaky, but as you keep doing it, it eventually becomes a lot more comfortable. KYA’s also helped me flesh out my political views through hearing everyone’s different opinions. It’s not fair to yourself to only listen to one side.
Q: What has been the most fun part about your campaign? What has been the hardest?
A: The yellow placard goes hand-in-hand with both questions. It’s a lot of fun being able to go into any room and give speeches on bills, but it’s also a lot of stress; you have to make sure you get your words out right and not stumble through.
Q: Are any of your platforms personal to you? If so, could you explain how?
A: None of them are necessarily personal to me (as in I have family members who’ve dealt with these issues), but when it comes to the food and shelter, I have done a number of service hours with 2–3 different organizations in Louisville. Seeing this issue is why I made that one of my platforms.
