CONTENTS GALLERY CALYMCA
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Meet California's Youth Governor By Ani Agnessa Avetisyan First from Culver since 1950 He is not as big and powerful as the governor. And he doesn't speak with an accent. But he agrees with the governor's redistricting plan and next year he will be sitting behind Schwarzenegger's desk-even if just for a few days.
Paul Gardner Ill, 17, is the new 58th California Youth Governor-the first student from Culver City to be chosen for the position since 1950. In the mock world of California leadership that is the California YMCA Youth and Government Model Legislature and Court program, Gardner holds the highest office. As a mini-governor, he will lead his fellow delegates during the coming year in one of the most prestigious youth programs in the country. "I actually decided that I wanted to be governor at the very first conference I attended," Gardner says. And as with most other things, the high school junior made it happen. Gardner remembers the excitement in the room when he was announced the winner among two other finalists on Sunday, February 20. His friends from the Culver Palms YMCA delegation and all over the state sat around tables in the huge convention center in Sacramento , anxiously waiting. Before the previous youth governor could get to his name, or even finish saying the word "Culver," the room exploded into claps and cheers. He was swarmed by friends, some of whom lifted him up above the crowd and would eventually carry him practically all the way across the street to his hotel room. Peter Karuptian, a fellow Culver Palm's YMCA delegate, high school friend, and neighbor immediately called his mother, who passed the good news on to Paul's parents. Everyone was relieved. "I just assumed he was going to win, but I didn't want to jinx it by saying anything," said Tim Messmer, Paul's stepfather. "I couldn't believe it at all," said Paul. All the late nights of research and campaigning at different youth delegations had paid off. Everybody was proud of him. And now that he has had some time to reflect, he also is beaming with pride. Behind that natural tan skin, curly hair and aqua marine eyes is a satisfied young man-satisfied with what he has achieved and satisfied with the program that gave him such a wonderful opportunity. California 's YMCA Youth and Government program is one of the strongest among 36 nationwide. More than 2,200 high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors participate in the nine-month, hands-on experience. During that time, students meet as individual delegations at approximately 80 locations throughout the state to discuss state issues, write bills, select governmental positions to role-play, attend statewide training conferences, and run for various elected offices. The program is intended to be educational and fun, giving students lots of opportunities to make new friends. Ultimately, students from all over the state meet in Sacramento at the State Capitol during a five-day Model Legislature and Court each February. The teen delegates take over government, using the historic halls, chambers, and offices of the State Capitol, Supreme Court, and Governor's Office. The main highlight of the event is the election of the upcoming year's Youth Governor. The finalists give speeches, the broadcast media program hosts a debate, students vote by secret ballot, and the winner is announced at the closing Governor's Banquet. Paul's journey in the program began at an introductory conference in the spring of 2003. He learned of the program when he was in the tenth grade from a friend who hooked him by telling Paul that he would get to model government and meet people from up and down the state. |
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