Metro East Sun

More than 30 high school students from 16 schools across the 58th Senate District attended State Sen. Terri Bryant’s (R-Murphysboro) first-ever Youth Advisory Council at Southern Illinois University–Carbondale on Dec. 7.

According to a press release issued by the senator’s office, the purpose of the event was to teach students about public policy, state government, and leadership.

The attendees were nominated by their respective schools for showing an interest in government and public service.

Bryant wrote on her Facebook page that the students joined her to “discuss political issues of our times.”

“They proposed legislation and discussed current concerns of our state and nation,” her post read. “Big thank you to Murphysboro Mayor Will Stephens, Jackson County State’s Attorney Joe Cervantes, and SIU Chancellor Austin Lane for their contributions.”

Stephens, Cervantes, and Lane each spoke to the students.

Afterwards, the attendees went to breakout sessions during which they brainstormed ideas for possible new state legislation that each group would present to the council for a vote.

Bryant’s release said that the YAC sessions were created with the passage of House Bill 0594.

Carbondale Community High School student Brandon Scott-Rivers said in the release that it’s important for he and his peers to became involved in government because “we are the future.”

“Since we are the ones that are going to be taking over as time goes on, it is important that we learn about what we can do to change the future for all of us,” Scott-Rivers said.

Lucas Schilling said the YAC appealed to him because of his deep fascination with politics and the inner workings of political systems.

“I really thought this would be a great opportunity to get involved, come up with a bill idea and potentially make an impact in our communities,” the Valmeyer High School student said in the release.

Aumalie Murdock, who attends Woodlawn High School, found Bryant to be an inspirational figure.

“After talking, I learned that she is someone who definitely wants to help me and further my career,” Murdock said in the release.

A second YAC will meet in the spring at the State Capitol in Springfield.

“It was truly exciting to see the students focused and engaged throughout the entire day,” the senator said in the release. “I am hopeful that today’s Youth Advisory Council provided these students with a better understanding on how our state government works, but more importantly I hope they learned that each of them have a voice in the process.”