The Daily Delegate

A Forum presiding officer is responsible for opening and closing debate sessions, enforcing parliamentary procedures, and leading discussions. They keep things running smoothly while making sure everyone has a voice.

Samantha Cicuto, from the Foothills Delegation, is the Forum Presiding Officer in Youth and Government. Though she was hesitant at first, encouragement from her advisor and past leaders pushed her to take on this role—and it turned out to be a great decision

Taking the Leap into Leadership

Samantha had been involved in Model UN but was always nervous about running for a leadership role. When she joined Youth and Government, her advisor urged her to step up. With the support of her delegation and past Forum leaders, she finally decided to go for it. Through campaigning and working in her position, she formed strong connections with her delegation and realized how much she loved being involved.

Lessons from Leadership

Being in this role has taught Samantha that leadership isn’t just about enforcing rules—it’s about learning from the people around you. Seeing passionate speakers has inspired her to improve her skills, and she’s grown more confident in herself and her abilities.

How This Role Changed Her Experience

Samantha’s position has helped her meet people from different delegations, form new friendships, and build confidence. While not everyone takes the time to listen, those who do have made a lasting impact on her. “Knowing that even a few people truly care about what I have to say means so much,” she shares.

Looking to the Future

Samantha hopes to get more involved in media and journalism within Youth and Government since she’s already part of her school newspaper. She’s also open to pursuing more leadership roles now that she’s had this experience. Most importantly, she wants to continue learning from others and making the most of her time in the program.

What She Hopes to Accomplish

For Samantha, it’s all about connecting with people. At first, she thought Youth and Government would be full of serious people, but she quickly realized that everyone joins for different reasons. She wants to learn about others’ backgrounds and experiences while continuing to improve her understanding of government.

Favorite Part of Forum

Samantha loves that everyone in Forum is new, so they’re all learning together. “It’s a little chaotic, but that’s what makes it fun,” she says. The people and debates make the experience even better, and she hopes to leave a positive impact on future participants.

Final Thoughts

Reflecting on her journey, Samantha is grateful for everyone who encouraged her to take on this role. “I used to be so shy and anxious—I never thought I’d be here,” she says. “But life takes you to unexpected places, and you might be the next one up on stage.”

Samantha thanked: The Foothills delegation, everyone in Forum, Finn, Lando, Grace, Gigi, and Olive, her advisors.