(February 23, 2004) — On Feb. 17, four student delegates from Clark’s Youth and Government program returned from a six-day trip to Sacramento where they participated in a statewide conference. The student delegates participated in sessions to pass bills, debate and to listen to political officials such as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger speak on issues such as California’s budget problems. Student delegates reported that Schwarzenegger had developed a good speech and answered questions articulately. “It was funny because he would throw jokes in. He finished up with the famous phrase “I’ll be back” and walked away giving a thumbs up,” recalled vice president of Clark’s Youth and Government Michael Lyons. Youth and Government is a teen-based program sponsored by the YMCA in which 2000 delegates across California convene in three conferences to write bills and pass proposals. Two of the conferences are training and election conferences where student delegates vote on elected positions and learn the diverse roles in a real democracy. The program itself is split into five different areas, which consists of the assembly, the senate, the press, the court program and the National Issues Committee. Each delegation has to write proposals and bills, which are debated and voted on during the Sacramento conference. Although most of the bills that are proposed during the conference are fabricated and not intended to go through the Senate or president, one bill that required motorcycle riders to wear helmets actually got passed last year. “There is a newspaper released every morning and a television program aired every morning and night,” explained Lyons. Candidates visit other delegations throughout the year to campaign so that during the caucus and secret ballot elections they may win their desired spot. “Not only do you learn about the government, but you also create bonds of fellowship that will last a lifetime,” said delegate Sean Nazari. This year seniors Lyons, James Ingraldi, Mazin Elhadry and Artia Moghbel were participants in the program. “As the Youth and Government slogan says, ‘Democracy must be learned by each generation,’” said Lyons.