This Sac, I had the incredible opportunity to interview our 77th Youth Governor, Brianna Alagba.
Alagba was elected as Secretary of State last year, and served as SOS at camp Roberts. When asked about getting delegates involved with voting after a huge success with 100% voter turnout at Bob, Alagba mentioned that walking around and connecting with people, as well using a QR code to make voting accessible and convenient had a big impact on that eventual success. Delving deeper into the topic of tech, she talked about how she definitely thinks that technology has made getting delegates to vote easier, as well as making Y&G a more efficient and less intimidating experience for all.
When talking about how to increase the number of people voting in the real world, Alagba thinks that rather than telling people what will happen if they do vote, it’s more important to emphasize what will happen if they don’t. She also thinks that making government education more available in schools is the way to go. The sense of urgency this instills in our generation is what drives change, and pushes us to embrace progress every day. However, the answer to the question of whether voting is the best way to make change was not necessarily yes. In Alagba’s experience, the true change happens in the process of campaigning and finding something to believe in and support. Voting is simply a culmination and reflection of all of that effort.
Reflecting on her Youth Governor experience, Alagba says the two main things she has learned are patience and adaptability. Her favorite Y&G memory this year has been walking up a hill towards appellate court while listening to Disney songs with her SOS team, and her favorite way to relieve stress that inevitably comes from being a keystone part of Y&G leadership is to close her eyes and sleep, as well as talking to fellow delegates.
To close, Alagba leaves us with one message; it’s not just the presidential elections every four years. It’s not just the big elections everyone talks about. Every time you vote, you take one step towards a stronger democracy and a better tomorrow. So research everything, be involved, and do what YOU want to make our world a better place. Alagba’s vision for the future of Y&G is to see more delegates of color run for big 3 positions, and true representation in leadership where people are getting their voices heard, whatever that looks like for them, and making change by making things happen instead of waiting around until someone does it for them. She sees us heading in a direction where we are less afraid of rejection, and she sees a Y&G culture where people are ready to say yes to trying.
The Daily Delegate 
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