Earlier this school year, I had the opportunity to attend Senior Assembly as a page. It was amazing! I had the chance to drive up to Tallahassee with the high schoolers from my YIG chapter, who I hung out with during free time. Sadly, when our bus pulled up to the Capitol Building, I would be dressed in a stuffy business suit and

tie. Fortunately, I was allowed to wear sneakers because of all the walking that the pages do.

Inside the Capitol, my only responsibility was to de-liver page notes, which are basically notes the delegates use to contact an officer or a delegate in another chamber or pro-gram area.

One of the parts of State Assembly I enjoyed was how delegates who want-ed me to deliver “un-germane” notes (ones that do not pertain to debate and are not supposed to be passed) would try to be-friend me.

One delegate slipped me five dollars. Oth-ers bought me soda all day.

But the best part of paging is the many life-long friendships you make throughout the Assembly.

Being a page was an amazing experience. If you want to have a ton of fun and learn more about the Leg-islative process, then I look forward to seeing you page at State Assembly!

What’s Next? Becoming a State Assembly Page

Issue 1, Volume 2

The Daily Aardvark Observations in the Spirit of DemocracyObservations in the Spirit of Democracy

7th Annual Florida YMCA Youth In Government Jr. Assembly

Sunday May 27, 2012

Tyler Belyeu Central Florida Delegation

“I definitely would not be as involved in YIG as I am today, if it was not for the page program at State Assembly.”

- Glory McClure, 2011-2012 Youth

Governor

Ah, the villa

life. Villas are quaint, little homes with friendship, stories, and, of course, food! While meeting is awk-ward and names are seldom remem-bered at first, a strong bond is soon formed, thanks to thrilling mixers and helpful, loving mentors. Strangers quickly become a team…no, a family. After a “full” night’s sleep, villas rise and shine in order to dine together, chat with each other, and prepare for the day. Every chance they have, villa friends are assisting, encouraging, and

talking with one another. At every break, they are participating in activi-ties such as making friendship brace-lets or playing cards. In games and everything else we do, we develop in-separable bonds. Truly, villa life is a

lovely way to make new friends and grow already exciting friendships – making strong relationships that last a lifetime.

Living the Villa Life at Jr. YIG

Becca Ross Tampa Delegation

Girls from Villa Four share bills on Thursday night.

They are an imperative facet of quality and communication at Sr. Assembly

Pages connect all the branches of YIG (Press, Judicial, Legislative, Lobby, and Executive)

If you are interested in being a page, talk with your chapter leadership and advisors and be sure to register as a page with your chapter (at www.floridayig.net) when it comes time to go to State Assembly!

26 May 2012 The Daily Aardvark 2

Presenting in First Committee

“Delegate Beriswill, it is your turn to present.”

I tried to hide my shaking as I stood and walked to the podium. The flutter-

ing in my stomach was no longer gentle butter-flies. In fact, it was more like man-eating vultures. I attempted to deliver my speech at a

normal pace and main-tain eye contact. Some-how, I managed to get through my opening, running on nerves and pure exhilaration. The round of non-debatable, technical questions

started, and I stood there. And I kept stand-ing there.

Utter silence filled the room. Not a single hand was raised. Can imagine

how awkward that was? I stumbled through my closing, which was very similar to the last line of my opening.

By some miracle, my bill passed to Second Com-mittee. And though I may complain of the aforementioned vultures, there is something won-derful about going up there just to tell people about your idea. It

makes me feel like I real-ly can do something. It makes me feel like I real-ly can change something.

Christa Beriswill Tampa Delegation

Junior Assembly is an amazing opportunity for middle schoolers to be involved and introduced to a program and experi-ence that the high school

delegates love so much.

All of the 8th grade delegates at Junior Assembly, if your next step is preparing to attend the 57th State Assembly. State Assembly is one of the best experi-ences that I have ever had. From the moment dele-gates are greeted by Presiding Officers at the door until the final moments of Closing Ceremonies, the time spent at the Capitol will forever change you.

As a Legislative delegate, what I enjoy most at Assem-bly is debating. Being able to debate in the same

chambers as Florida’s representatives and senators is an amazing opportunity. However, of the many things that make Junior and State Assembly so incredible, I believe that the relationships formed throughout the few days the delegates and officers spend together are far more important than any round of debate. The people you share these moments with, whether from your chapter or across the state, will become some of your best friends who share treasured memories.

Articles assigned, compiled, and

edited by Ali Renckens,

Tampa Delegation

Lily Tysinger Treasure Coast Delegation

High School Mentor 2012-2013 Commissioner

of Agriculture

What’s Next? Attending Sr. Assembly

For more reporting from Delegates and High School Mentors visit: thepagenote.blogspot.com