When the statewide Youth & Government program gets under way next month, Merrimack Valley YMCA delegate Anna Rozzi will be presiding as attorney general. Anna was elected to the role after a campaign in the spring, beating out two others who also ran for the position. She will serve as attorney general in the program throughout the school year, which culminates in a model legislative conference at the statehouse in Boston in the spring.
Youth & Government is a model legislative program for teens in grades 9-12 that offers young people the opportunity to learn about our democracy through participation. Kids can apply to be legislators, judges, lobbyists, part of the press corps, or even a chaplain. They get practice writing and debating bills and arguing their positions in front of others during several pre-legislative conferences at local colleges throughout the year. They also get the chance to meet state officials and local leaders and to discuss the issues that are important to them.
“The whole point of this program is that you are not just sitting in a classroom learning about government, you are experiencing it first hand,” said Rozzi.” If you are passionate about something, write a bill. Mentors and other students are available to help you make the experience your own.”
As attorney general, Anna will appoint assistant attorneys general who will consult with her on the constitutionality of all the bills that are proposed by legislators and they will participate in a mock trial. She’s been a part of the Merrimack Valley delegation to Youth & Government since her freshman year at North Andover High School. Now a senior, she says it’s been a great experience.
“I’ve always been comfortable with public speaking, but having to stand up during committee and speak and make arguments during trials, my speaking ability has really improved,” she said. “I’ve also gotten a lot of practice writing persuasive arguments.”
Last spring, Anna had the opportunity to put those skills to the test. She traveled to the statehouse with the youth governor during the real legislative session. She testified on behalf of a bill that would include an option on state tax returns to donate to the Youth and Government program to help defray the costs of running the program and make it available to more students.
“Youth and Government is like a test run for the adult word,” she said. “It gives us a greater understanding of our democracy and politics so that we can build the future we want to have. “
The Merrimack Valley YMCA will be holding two information nights for anyone interested in joining this program.
September 30 at 6:00 at the Lawrence YMCA
October 1 at 6:00 at the Andover/North Andover YMCA
For more information about this program, contact Cody Ross at 978-686-6191, ext. 333 or cross@mvymca.org or visit our Youth & Government program page.