The Daily Delegate

By Mayu Altekar-Okazaki and Zarina Eull

Walking down J Street and towards the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center for the last time, seniors reflect on the memories they’ve made and the skills they’ve learned throughout their years in Youth and Government.

Board of Education Superintendent and Westchester senior Noah Steinman said while he originally wanted nothing to do with the program, Y&G taught him how to lead independently and step out of his comfort zone.

“There’s no adults that are planning things for me,” Steinman said. “It’s been one of the most real experiences where I’m really putting myself out there and being vulnerable as a leader. … It’s built my skills up more than a lot of other extracurriculars because of that responsibility.” 

Similarly, Berkeley senior Adi Brysk said Y&G has given her the experience she will need as she continues through life. 

“I think Y&G has given me the skills to branch out and step out of my comfort zone, which is a skill that I need as I’m exiting high school,” Brysk said. “It [Y&G] has shown me that I’m able to use my voice and make new friends and branch out.”

According to Brysk, Y&G has taught her more than how to broaden her horizons — it’s illustrated how young people can make a difference when they’re united for a common cause. 

“I think it’s really easy as a young person to feel helpless and feel like you can’t make a change,” Brysk said. “Y&G showed me how there’s strength in numbers and there’s other people that feel the same way as you, and that when you’re all together, you can make a change.”

Y&G has also taught delegates how to make changes individually. DaVinci senior Salvador Arredondo said he learned that leadership is about the change you make rather than the power you have.

“To be a leader, you don’t need to have some big role or be the youth governor or be an officer,” Arredondo said. “You just need to make impacts on other people’s lives.”

While making change is important, Arredondo said he believes the most valuable part of leadership is the importance of making people feel valued and that their opinions matter.

“Even if you’re just slightly interested in the smallest thing, just go for it,” Arredondo said. “When you’re a senior four years later, you might regret that you didn’t push yourself a little further. So I’ll just say, go all in.”