About Kentucky Youth Assembly
The Kentucky Youth Assembly (KYA) is a 3-day experiential learning program in which students serve as part of a model state government. KYA offers students the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of issues, develop critical thinking skills, and articulate their beliefs while engaging constructively with their peers from around the Commonwealth.- KYA website
About Kentucky United Nations Assembly
The Kentucky United Nations Assembly (KUNA) is a 3-day experiential learning conference in which students participate directly in simulated international diplomacy. KUNA offers students the opportunity to experience the richness of cultures from around the world, develop empathy, and hone their critical thinking skills while engaging with a wide variety of perspectives and global issues.
Accomplishments
- 2011-2012 KYA Leadership Team: Olivia Jennings
- 2011-2012 KYA Candidate for Governor: Scott Washbish
- 2011-2012 KYA Outstanding Speaker Award: Rachel Gilbert
- 2011-2012 KYA Outstanding Delegate: Drake Witt
- 2011-2012 KYA Outstanding Premier Bill: Olivia Feck, Purav Patel, Niran Chatta, Niraj Patel, and Sahil Patel
- 2011-2012 KYA Outstanding Legislative Bill Authors: Regan Smith, Drake Witt, Daniel Kolpek, and Chris Caprio
- 2011-2012 KYA Outstanding Bill to be signed into law: Smith, Chris Caprio, Daniel Kolpek, and Drake Witt
- 2011-2012 KYA Most Outstanding Legislative Bill at 2012 Conference: Regan Smith, Chris Caprio, Drake Witt, and Daniel Kolpek
- 2011-2012 KYA Most Outstanding Media Corps Specialist: Dara Golding
- 2011-2012 KYA Delegation of Excellence: E. J. Hayes Middle School.
- 2012-2013 KYA Outstanding Delegate: Drake Witt
- 2012-2013 KYA Legislative Award: Sydney Gordon, Hannah Fryman, Hannah Murray, and Anna Goulson
- 2012-2013 KYA Delegation of Excellence
- 2012-2013 KYA Speaker of the House: Faith LoPicolo
- 2013-2014 KYA Governor Elect: Reagan Smith
- 2014-2015 KYA Speaker of the Senate: Olivia Feck
- 2016-2017 KYA Governor Elect: Rileigh Smith
- 2017-2018 KYA Speaker of the House: Sophia LoPicolo
- 2017-2018 KYA Outstanding Delegation
- 2017-2018 KYA Delegation of Excellence
- 2017-2018 KYA Conference Life Award
- 2017-2018 KYA Outstanding Parliamentarian: Elizabeth Walton
- 2017-2018 KYA Outstanding Leadership: Beau Norton and Mary Fedele
- 2017-2018 KYA Outstanding Bill to be signed into law: Sydney Peters, Sara Mattingly, Iiana Williams, and Myka Jackson- Smith: an act to require all middle schools in Kentucky to offer an agriculture science class as an exploratory
- 2017-2018 Oustanding Speaker Award: Elle Moses and Beau Norton
- 2017-2018 KUNA Outstanding Speaker: Beau Norton
- 2017-2018 KUNA Outstanding Delegate: Myka Smith-Jackson
- 2017-2018 KUNA Delegation of Excellence
- 2017-2018 KUNA resolution: “The Recognition of Bull Fighting as Animal Cruelty, and Banning it as a Spectator Event” was passed by Committee, Summit, and later endorsed by the Secretary General of the United Nations. The sponsors for this resolution were: Leighton Harris, Grayson Pham, Kara Peters, and Kara Bryant.
- 2018-2019 Speaker of the Senate: Jamison Gordon
- 2018-2019 Delegation of Excellence
- 2018-2019 Outstanding Delegate Award: Casey Wells
- 2018-2019 Outstanding Premiere Delegation (First Time Kids)
- 2018-2019 Bill 19: Hope Jordan, Jenna Mosely, Ilana Williams , and Eden Anderson- An Act To require All Police K-9 Units to Wear Bullet-Proof Vests.
- 2018-2019 Bill 21: Connor Carpenter, Leighton Harris, Grayson Pham, and Gabe Fox- An Act Relating to the Age to Purchase E-Cigarettes, Juuls, other Tobacco Alternatives, including Tobacco to be 21 Years of Age.
- 2018-2019 Bill 20: & KYA 2018 Outstanding Bill: 20 Sarah Mattinginly, Elle Moses, Brittany Bylund, and Clementine Coomes- An Act To: Require All Schools in Kentucky to Implement Safety Doors in Public Bathrooms Areas in Order to Improve School Safety in the Event of a Lock down.
- 2018-2019 Selection of Chamber Chairs to Lead at the Capital: Lily Ricketts, Tallulah Young, Cooper Deener
- 2018-2019 KUNA Outstanding Speaker Award: Sarah Mattingly
- 2018-2019 KUNA Outstanding Delegate Award: Ilana Williams
- 2018-2019 KUNA Highest Ranked Resolution: Human Trafficking in Cuba (Resolution 7)
- 2018-2019 KUNA Resolution 7 passed from General Assembly and endorsed by the Secretary General. Sponsors: Elle Moses, Hope Jordan, Clementine Coomes, and Sarah Mattingly.
- 2018-2019 KUNA Premiere Delegation
- 2019-2020 KYA Delegation of Excellence
- 2019-2020 KYA Premiere Delegation Award
- 2019-2020 KYA Youth Service Award, Honor Level
- 2019-2020 KYA Outstanding Delegate: Beau Hudson
- 2019-2020 KYA Outstanding Speaker: Parker Heilig
- 2019-2020 KYA Elected Committee Chairs: Leighton Harris and Eden Anderson
- 2019-2020 KYA Parliamentarians: Brady Wahl and Tessa Ward
- 2019-2020 KYA BG8 Passed Into Law: Taj Chattha, Gavin Wijesiri, Lucy Miner, and Fielding Young. “An act requiring all middle school students across the Commonwealth to receive a 20 minute movement break each day.” This bill was presented three times and signed into law by the Lt. Governor.
- 2019-2020 KYA CW6 Passed Into Law: Grayson Pham, Siddharth Sundar, and Gabe Fox. “An act to require all Kentucky middle and high schools to implement a youth suicide prevention and awareness curriculum.” This bill was debated in the state capitol building, passing both the House and the Senate. It was signed into law by the Governor.
- 2021-2022 KYA Outstanding Speaker: Lucy Miner
- 2021-2022 KYA Outstanding Delegate: Angelo DiLorenzo
- 2021-2022 KYA BG Bill 2: Jase Rogers, Connor Harris, Karsyn Gault, and John Mac Dickerson. "An Act to Extend the Minimum Lunch Period in Every Kentucky Public School."
- 2021-2022 KYA Premiere Delegation
- 2021-2022 KYA Conference Life Award
- 2022-2023 KYA Premiere Delegation Award
- 2022-2023 KYA Outstanding Delegate Award: John Mac Dickerson
- 2022-2023 KYA Bluegrass Bill 15: Gavin Lawless, Anderson Lang, Camden Edwards, and Cooper Myers. “An Act to Mandate Movement Breaks in all Kentucky Schools.”
- 2022-2023 KYA Bluegrass Bill 16: Eli Lopez, Grae Percio, Diya Patel, and Hampdyn Percio. “An Act to Mandate a Suicide Prevention Curriculum in all Kentucky Schools."
- 2022-2023 KYA Commonwealth Bill 11: Harry Waltrip, David Jones, Molly Dotson, and Jase Rogers. “An Act Relating to Excused Mental Health Days for Students K-12.”
- 2023-2024 Premier Delegation
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2023-2024 Y-Club Advisor Hall of Fame: April Deener
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2023-2024 Outstanding Delegate: Luke Waltrip (8th)
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2023-2024 Outstanding Speaker: Eli Lopez (7th) à this was awarded to around 15 students out of 1,150 total for quality of debate and strong speaking ability.
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2023-2024 Outstanding Doorkeeper: Grace Kearns (8th) à awarded to only 1 student at the entire conference.
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2023-2024 Commonwealth 29 “An Act to Reduce the Critical Shortage of Emergency Medical Responders in Kentucky”: Bill Sponsors: Connor Harris, David Jones, Luke Waltrip, John Mac Dickerson (8th)
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2023-2024 Commonwealth 30 “An Act requiring English Language Learners be provided the opportunity to take Kentucky Summative Assessment in their native language”: Bill Sponsors: Eli Lopez, Diya Patel, Grae Percio, Hunter Bushmann (7th)
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2023-2024 Specialized Roles: Harry Waltrip and Jase Rogers, 8th, (Committee Chairs), Noah Lopez and Grace Kearns, 8th, (Doorkeepers)
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2023-2024 Highly Ranked Bills Allowed to present at state capitol
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Bluegrass 26 “An Act Relating to Equitable High Speed Internet Access for All Kentuckians”: Bill Sponsors: Joe Barton, Brody Norris, Kathryn Floyd, Jackson Krebs (6th)
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Commonwealth 29 “An Act to Reduce the Shortage of Medical Emergency Responders in Kentucky”: Bill Sponsors: Connor Harris, David Jones, Luke Waltrip, John Mac Dickerson (8th)