News Post

Thirty-three members of the St. Joseph’s Academy Youth and Government (YAG) Club joined high school students from across the state for the 2019 Louisiana Youth Legislature, held December 6-8 at the Louisiana State Capitol. 

The annual three-day mock-legislative session is designed to enable students to learn about the legislative process by acting as representatives, senators, Supreme Court justices and press delegates and by writing, debating and presenting bills to their peers.

Led by YAG President Annie Blanchard and Vice President Faith Woods, the club captured the two highest awards presented: Out of 24 participating schools, SJA was named outstanding delegation of the conference, and Woods, a senior, was presented with the prestigious Monice Oliphant Award, which recognizes the delegate who best represents the organization’s guiding principles of civic engagement and social responsibility.

Four bills written and argued by SJA students survived the rigorous legislative process and were signed into law. The successful bills were written by senior Jolan Taylor, freshman Emma Hulse, senior Emma Perrault, junior Christin Ransome and junior Patsy Sims.

Three Academy students competed for and won election to next year’s Executive Board. Sophomore Olivia Mack will serve as speaker of the house pro rem; Ransome was elected president of the senate pro tem; and sophomore Jillian Augustine will be next year’s secretary of state.

Mack was one of only six delegates awarded an invitation to attend the prestigious nationwide Conference on National Affairs this summer in Montgomery, Alabama.

In addition to serving as president of SJA’s YAG, Blanchard served as speaker pro tem of 2019 youth legislature. “Chairing debate in the actual house chamber was surreal,” she said. “I loved getting to see the wonderful debate from students across the state on topics that affect us every day.”

Blanchard said she was extremely proud of this year’s showing and the many honors bestowed upon the SJA delegation. “At the closing session, it brought tears to my eyes when both Olivia and Faith won their awards,” she said. “I have been working with these girls for the past two years, and seeing my teammates’ talents recognized was incredible. Three girls on state board next year is huge, as was winning outstanding delegation. I’m so proud of how far SJA Youth and Government has come. We’ve really made a name for ourselves and established our presence at YAG conferences. I’m so proud to serve as president of this incredible group of young women. They led this weekend with grace, poise and an attitude of servant leadership.” 

Ransome agreed that this year’s legislative event was one for the record books. She also thoroughly enjoyed the process of running for president of the senate. “It was an amazing experience,” she said. “I have met so many people from other schools and have become closer to all my fellow club members in the process. We all worked super well together as a club to debate on important state issues during proposed bills. It was an honor to represent SJA at the conference, and I am very excited to continue at the state level. I am so proud of everyone who attended this convention, and I can’t wait for next year.”

Mack said she especially enjoyed the fellowship and comradery which surrounded the weekend. “It was such a supportive environment that you can’t really get anywhere else,” she said. “Running for office made my weekend more enjoyable because it made me step out of my comfort zone and talk to people from different schools/delegations. I felt immense pride for my delegation.”

Taylor said she felt very prepared for the experience “because we are taught how to present ourselves every day in the classroom. Our delegation was confident in what we had to say, and this was evident in our debate. I'm very proud of our hard work and dedication that won us outstanding delegation. SJA's mission is to serve the dear neighbor, and we did this at Youth Legislature through encouraging other students in civic involvement."

Grace Bordelon, a 2017 graduate of SJA, former member of the SJA Youth Leg delegation and current LSU student, is an intern in the governor’s office of communications. She enjoyed visiting with the team. 

Patrick O’Hara is moderator of the Youth and Government Club.
 

Mindy Brodhead Averitt
Communications Director

Photos courtesy of Patrick O'Hara