Turner hosts area high school students for annual Youth Advisory Council

 

[December 13, 2023] 

In November, roughly 40 high school students from 12 schools across the 44th Senate District gathered at Heartland Community College to participate in State Senator Sally Turner’s (R-Beason) annual Youth Advisory Council.

“It’s inspiring to see how knowledgeable these students are and how they are able to articulate their opinions,” said Senator Turner. “They not only want to learn more about their government but want to be engaged and to have a voice.”

Sen. Turner’s Youth Advisory Council is a hands-on experience designed to teach local area students about public policy, state government, and leadership. Each high school within the 44th Senate District was able to nominate high school students that they believed showed an interest in government and public service.

“I thought this was a good opportunity to talk to people in my community and talk to the people who are making decisions for my community and learn how to help make it better,” said Heyworth High School Student Robin Stevens.

In the morning students heard from successful community leaders, including Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White, Illinois Manufacturers Association’s Vice President of Education & Workforce Policy Sarah Harwick, and United States Air force – Air National Guard Retired Colonel Mark A. Hurley. Students then broke off into groups, where they were asked to work together to develop ideas for possible new state legislation that each group would present to the full Youth Advisory Council.

“I think it's important for people to realize that they do have a voice and that they do have a say in what goes on in our state and country,” said Tremont High School Student Audrey Parn.

Sen. Turner spent time during the group discussion with each small group, helping students with their proposals and offering advice on how they could advocate for their issue. When the students presented their ideas, Sen. Turner helped spur along further debate by asking the groups questions about their legislation.

“This was really an awesome experience,” said Monticello High School Student Eli Craft. “It’s an amazing experience that you may not get to have at school that I would recommend future students to participate in.”

The students voted to choose one of the proposals to take up in a mock committee hearing at their next meeting, which will be held in the spring at the State Capitol.

[Marcus J. Durrett
Illinois Senate Republican Staff
Communications and Public Affairs]