8th Grade Youth and Government Seminars
The 36th annual Youth Leadership Association 8th Grade Youth and Government Seminars took place in Charleston, West Virginia in February and March of 2017. Monroe County was represented by twenty outstanding students from Mountain View Elementary/Middle School and Peterstown Middle School during the March 8-10th, 2nd session. The YLA Youth & Government Seminars are an annual cooperative effort of the West Virginia Department of Education and the Youth Leadership Association. The program brings West Virginia eighth grade students from all sections of the state to the Capitol for three days while the Legislature is in session. The Youth & Government Seminars provide an opportunity for eighth grade students throughout the state to learn more about state government by observing it and interacting with its leaders. Each day is devoted to one branch of government.
The program begins with activities designed to sensitize students to the origins of and need for laws. The first day’s activities included a mock legislative session that was led by Tom Tinder, Executive Director West Virginia Bar Foundation. This is an opportunity to prepare for activities related to the legislature component of the program the next day. The second day the students traveled to the Capitol where they toured the facility including the Governor’s Mansion, met with Senator Kenny Mann, and visited his office. After examining the legislative branch, student study, in turn, the judicial and executive branches. These activities included visiting the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. The students then traveled to the Robert C. Byrd Federal Courthouse where they took over a courtroom, along with attorneys from the Jackson Kelly Law Firm where they conducted a Mock Trial.
At the end of the evening the students hosted a formal dinner for county Legislatures. Monroe County was represented by Senator Ronald Miller, and Delegate Roy Cooper. The students also were able a visit to night court. The students were able to witness first hand arraignments of receiving stolen property, and conspiracy to commit fraud. 8th Grade Youth & Government Seminars bring more than 300 students from twenty-six counties to the West Virginia Capitol during the legislative session. Monroe County is very excited to be involved in this program, and hopes to continue yearly.
8th Grade students from Mountain View and Peterstown visit with Senator Kenny Mann during the 8th grade Youth and Government Seminars.Students include: Brendan Hale, Kyle Lewis, Cole Basile, Andrew Hazelwood, Emma Boggs, Sara Ferguson, Brooklynn Terry, Samantha Frazier, Casey Weikle, Alyssa Brookman, Kelissa Robertson, Jada Stutts, Kellie Belcher, Jenna Foster, Emily Hodges, KeiranMcClaugherty, Elizabeth Cromwell, Aliyah Mullins, Stephanie Persinger, and Noah Hunter.
Peterstown Middle School Students Jada Stutts, Brooklynn Terry, Kelissa Robertson, Kellie Belcher, Alyssa Brookman, and Emily Hodges
Mountain View students Sara Ferguson, Samantha Frazier, Stephanie Persinger, Casey Weikle, Aliyah Mullins, and Elizabeth Cromwell in the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.
8th grade Monroe County students attend the annual Dinner with the Delegates at the Embassy Suites. Front Row: Noah Hunter, Brendan Hale, Andrew Hazelwood. Back Row: Kyle Lewis and Cole Basile.