Middle and Upper School Girls Get Hands-On Experience in Politics Through Youth in Government

Sixteen middle school girls and 11 upper school girls rose to the challenge of running the State Capitol at Youth in Government conferences. Part of the Tennessee YMCA Youth in Government Program, these annual conferences are designed to offer high school and middle school students hands-on experience with state government. Students roleplay and take the places of real government officials, debating bills, arguing court cases, and working as student journalists. While the one-day middle school conferences are simplified compared to the larger-scale high school versions, students benefit from the same valuable educational opportunities when drafting and debating bills.

Our middle school girls and some upper school participants served as state legislators. They wrote and presented several bills. “They chose topics that directly affect their lives, thoroughly researched them, and presented their arguments effectively,” said 7th grade social science teacher Kollin Falk. “They excelled at defending their proposed bills, engaging in thoughtful questioning of others, and making decisions they believed would best serve Tennessee.”

At the middle school conference, London McCall ’30, Isabella Harris ’30, and Nancy Rie Adams ’30 won Outstanding Bill awards, and Vera Berryhill ’30, Charlotte Taylor ’30, and Lark Thompson ’29 received Outstanding Statesperson awards. 

At the upper school conference in Nashville, a bill by Stella Dyer ’27, Suzanne Smith ’27, and Bella McAdams ’27 was signed into law after passing in both the Senate and the House. Gracie Lirette ’27 and Amelia Gwatney ’27 won Outstanding Bill awards, and Emma Goughnour ’26 was elected to serve as a Tennessee Supreme Court associate justice at next year’s event. Photos of upper school girls above are by Elizabeth Adams ’26 and Dottie Higginbotham ’27, who served as part of the student-run press corps.

“I am extremely proud of all of our Youth in Government participants this year,” said upper school social science and history teacher Will Askew. “Not only were they able to gain insight into the way that the three branches of our state government work and the role of the press in holding those branches accountable, they also were able to make valuable connections and build relationships with other students across the state.”

We are proud of our girls' hard work and commitment to civic engagement during this learning opportunity. Through programs like Youth in Government, Hutchison educates young women for success and lives of integrity and responsible citizenship.