Ascension’s Youth and Government Club has attended many impressive events in recent years, despite its small size. Some highlights of the club’s accomplishments include attending Model United Nations and Legislative Conference. These two programs are both organized and hosted by the YMCA youth and government program in Baton Rouge. Spanning three days, a Thursday, Friday, and Saturday morning, these sessions are an excellent way for students across the state to explore a passion and a possible career in civic leadership. 

In the Model UN program, students from schools across the state simulate real countries in the real United Nations by writing, debating, and voting on resolutions from the perspective of their assigned country. Topics like cybersecurity, the environment, and sustainable energy are common. The issues discussed often have global impacts. Ascension’s attendees brought a resolution that sought to enhance youth cultural awareness by funding to send students around the world for education. This resolution was passed in the general assembly. 

The Legislative Conference has students across the state simulate the state government but vote and debate with their own opinions in mind, rather mirroring those of their state. Students can be either senators, representatives, or lobbyists and debate local and state issues. Common topics at the Louisiana Legislative Conference are coastal erosion, and education failures and funding. The Ascension team’s bill was on the college counseling crisis. Currently, only a third of high schools in Louisiana have college counselors. This is an issue that often causes high school seniors not to attend college altogether. Ascension’s bill would require college counselors at every high school in the state in an effort to aid this current crisis. This was an excellent bill with great merit that made it through committee, House, and Senate votes. Sadly, it was narrowly vetoed by the governor in the final stage because of funding issues and an inability to amend the bill.