The Daily Delegate

Tristan Arline

Editor-in-Chief, The Daily Delegate

February 14, 2024. A day that marks a Sacramento youth conference unlike any other. For starters, it is more than just Valentines day; it is the first day a Youth Governor has stepped up following a resignation. As most of our delegates know, the former 77th Youth Governor, Itzak Salazar, announced his resignation just a few days before the conference. Omitting the details of the situation, he passionately voiced his stance on a disagreement that took place between him and the California Youth and Government Board, following with the formal announcement of his step-down from the highest state-wide position in Youth and Government. Down the line of succession first comes our former Secretary of State, Briana Alagba, followed by the appointed King Cooper, the former Deputy Secretary of State, now taking on Alagba’s role. Though changing every year, Y&G has never seen a development quite like this one. Delegates, advisors, and those in positions of leadership alike have had a plethora of opinions and reactions to the Instagram post from Salazar’s official Youth Governor account.

One delegate, Eldana Arega from the Westside delegation, states, “Youth and Government is supposed to represent a democratic government. The appointment of the new Sec of State seems to work around this idea.” She elaborated, “We don’t know much about him nor his qualifications for Secretary of State. If a situation like this were to occur again, I feel like we should at least be formally introduced to the new leader.”

While another delegate, Rhoda Eme, believes that the appointment follows the natural line of succession in a democratic government and therefore “…an election isn’t necessary.” She continued, “Considering he worked under Alagba, he should be and most likely is qualified for the role.”

As mentioned, with the sudden vacancy in the Youth Governor position, the responsibility of leadership has fallen to former 77th Secretary of State, Brianna Alagba. Stepping into this role, Alagba brings the experience and dedication she has demonstrated thus far in her previous position, with many wondering how she will navigate the sudden change over the next few days. Aubrey Williams, a second-year delegate from the Westside delegation, has openly expressed their curiosity, questioning, “Will she implement the same policies and ideas the former Youth Governor worked on?”

As the conference unfolds, delegates continue to process the leadership transitions and the implications they may have on the program. With Brianna Alagba now leading as Youth Governor and King Cooper stepping into her former role, the Youth & Government community watches closely to see how this unexpected shift in leadership will shape the remainder of the conference. While complex opinions on the situation stand, it is clear that this year’s events will leave a lasting impact on the program’s history.

Overall, Youth and Government is about introducing government positions to our youth and setting expectations of our own government. Our world is ever-changing, and Youth and Government is no exception. Thus, though these developments may be jarring, it is important to remain respectful of those we choose to lead us and fellow delegates with potentially differing opinions, no matter one’s individual beliefs. The future of Youth and Government falls upon us, and in the end, this year’s events and delegates’ opinions serve as a testament to the program’s ability to navigate change while staying true to its core values that many participants have come to appreciate.