The

FALL DISTRICT II CONFERENCE SPECIAL EDITION SATURDAY & SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10-11, 2012

Page Note

Delegates sat

shoulder-to-shoulder,

hunched toward where

the chilly air met sheer

heat. Intense flames

made the darkness

dance as delegates

shivered on stone steps.

After a tiring day,

delegates joked, sang,

listened to campfire

stories, and ate s’mores.

Governor Christina Wiley

commented how

delegates could be

“completely

ridiculous” yet debate

so eloquently.

However, the mood

shifted. As the blistering

fire subdued, a sense of

belonging and

thankfulness for friends,

opportunities, and being

forcibly drug into the

program dominated.

“I feel like I have a

family,” Peighton Jones

said. Regrets and

misconceptions were

lamented as smoke

spiraled; “I wish I had

joined YIG sooner”, “I

thought it was going to

be another school club.”

Finally, Wiley

challenged delegates

who haven’t yet

found their passion

for YIG, “There is a

place for everyone in

this program. Find

your place.”

ALI RENCKENS

Campo-Christina Chapter

District II gathers around the bonfire at YMCA Camp Wewa for fel-

lowship, s’mores, and stories, led by Camp Director, Rich Shellhase.

Surprised, excited,

and nervous, three First Coast delegates were offered the chance to

relate their personal experience in Florida

Youth In Government and share how others could become involved.

A microphone dangled in front of them as they

delivered their message to an unseen audience. To the radio

l is teners, David Bonaro said, “The

Youth In Government

program…allows you to learn about the

legislation in Florida and participate in a hands-on law-making

process…they learn a l l a bou t t he

government and…[that] their voice makes a difference.”

Diana Oum clarified, “We learned to

present our ideas better…be better speakers…[and] we

[have] become more aware of state and

national issues…

we’ve learned is to debate ideas, not

people…and give b a c k t o t h e community.”

The concept of debating ideas, not

people, was a recurring theme. Oum explained, “Not only is it the

number one lesson I learned from YIG, but I

think the phrase truly describes the philosophy and mission of Youth In

Government." This and the availability of the

program were what the

delegates wanted to broadcast.

For Oum, this “was a real-life application of what

YIG has taught me. YIG helped me develop

my own voice and gave me the opportunity for my voice to be heard.

With the radio interview, my voice

was able to be heard again and this time it wasn’t for my own

benefit. It was for YIG.”

ALI RENCKENS

Campo-Christina Chapter

First Coast Steps Up to the Microphone

District II Bonds Over Bonfire

Legislative delegates

examine an idea, then, make p rac t i c a l , technical, moral, and

constitutional arguments to persuade their

audience to agree. Claiming ignorance of J u d i c i a l , m a n y

delegates may be surprised at how

similar the two branches are. Conceptually, Judicial

is simple. It is divided into the Supreme and

District Court. Both

write a brief or

memo, contesting for their assigned side of

a legal case. At State Assembly, they orally argue their position.

Senior Justice Niraj Vyas explains,

“Judicial basically re-interprets the laws Legislative makes.”

He enjoys seeing the “competitive nature”

that “drives the delegates,” who base arguments solely on

legality. Associate Justice Alana Snyder

shared, “Interpreting

laws has a different

impact [than Legislative] because you’re deciding

whether the law is

constitutional.” Snyder

describes Judicial as a “different style of

debate.”

Jacob Gollert of the West Central Florida Delegation speaks during a judicial break out session.

Delegate Ashley Taylor, author of the best-ranked bill at

District II Fall District C o n f e r e n c e , i s

f igh t ing fo r a healthier Florida. Her bill proposes reducing

obesity in Florida by placing a one cent tax

per ounce on sugary soft drinks. A c co rd ing t o

Stanford Hospital, over 30% of children

are overweight or obese. To keep this

alarming number from growing, Taylor modeled her bill after

a similar law enacted in New York.

Those opposed to the bill argued that the

bill a one cent tax

would be ineffective. Also, that sugar does

not cause obesity; “people’s abuse of it does.” Therefore,

“punishing people for drinking soda” would

not accomplish its purpose. However, those in

favor argued that the bill is not removing a

person’s right to drink a soda; it will only be slightly more difficult.

“The intent is not to restrict rights…[it is

to] persuade people to make a healthier

choice,” Taylor said in her closing. Despite admirable

i n t e n t i o n s a n d debate, the bill did

not pass.

ALI RENCKENS

Campo-Christina Chapter

Tax on Sugary Drinks

FALL DISTRICT II CONFERENCE SPECIAL EDITION SATURDAY & SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10-11, 2012 2

A Different Style of Debate ALI RENCKENS

Campo-Christina Chapter

Advanced Debate Tips Interrogation is to ask a pointed question, keep debate on topic, or make the author say something he/she doesn’t want to say Do your research! You are your own lobbyist! Plant your NDTQs, research, and points Know the cost, if it has been passed in other states, and constitutionality Good presentation makes for good debate Refute con arguments in your closing