Youth Legislature of Louisiana
In the modern world, political engagement among young people is as important as ever. Understanding the issues and the processes of government makes all the difference between a future of uninformed voters or bright, educated leaders for a new tomorrow. Youth Legislature of Louisiana is a program designed to offer students across the state a chance to feel the levers of power and democracy firsthand, taking concepts learned in the classroom and giving them real-world practice among a selection of their peers. Led by devoted educators and administrators like newly selected Director, Cheryle Totten, who has been with the program for 23 years.
The program began back in 1978 in Baton Rouge with Camp Fire USA, before being a part of Boys & Girls Club of Greater Baton Rouge for 13 years and Big Buddy for the past two. Now an independent non-profit organization, Youth Legislature of Louisiana will host more than 1,800 students from 40 schools in 13 parishes this school year, a success story that can be largely attributed to the work of people like Paula Braud LeBlanc, Program Director from 1999 – 2022 and Lisa Clingan, who has worked with the program since 2007. Cheryle’s hopes are for expansion across that state for a program that she loves dearly, and strongly believes is beneficial to all middle school students.
“It was a dear friend who initially got me into the program, as it was something she thought I’d like to be involved with. My previous experience had been with credits unions, with little non-profit experience,” says Cheryle. “I quickly went from secretary to learning how to run the House and Senate chambers. But to see these kids on fire for their state, with this love for this state, had me hooked from day one.”
Youth Legislature of Louisiana gives students a first-hand look at the legislative process, with classroom instruction preparing them for a 2-day mock legislative session held at the historic Louisiana Old State Capitol. While some schools use the program as part of their curriculum, others utilize the platform for clubs. Either way, the star of the show is the two-day legislative session. On Day One, prepared students give speeches for the offices of the Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the Senate President. These elected positions are determined by the students voting on actual voting machines provided by the Secretary of State’s Voter Outreach division. What follows is active engagement with student-run House & Senate Committee Meetings and debate Bills as Representatives and Senators. The process even allows for Press Delegates and photojournalists to report on and document the happenings of each legislative session, with press briefings with the elected Governor. Over these two days, students are given the kind of hands-on training for the processes of government that prime them to be the leaders and changers of the future.
“You see students learn firsthand that their ideas matter and find common ground with students from other walks of life,” says Cheryle. “You have students from more urban schools collaborating with kids from more rural communities, bringing their unique perspectives and backgrounds to the process to form a functioning government is thrilling to see happen year after year.
Moving into the future, Cheryle hopes to continue pushing the Youth Legislature of Louisiana for more access, more students, and more opportunities to make real change in Louisiana, including the creation of two or three new locations across the state to hold programs, as well as developing an alumni association, and an auxiliary association with wives/spouses of State Representatives and Senators to help raise funds for each year’s Legislatures.
“The Youth Legislature of Louisiana is a well-oiled machine due to the dedication of previous directors and dedicated long-term staff members and requires a lot of hard work from everybody involved. But seeing what exposure to the process does for these students is absolutely amazing,” says Cheryle. “Every year, there are tears shed at our closing ceremonies. I just love seeing kids from all walks of life making a difference and finding their place in the legislative process.”
Mission Statement
To provide the youth of Louisiana the opportunity to actively engage in a mock legislative session with students from other schools, learning the legislative process to reach their full potential as informed future voters, productive, caring, and responsible citizens and create civic engagement with a goal of creating future leaders educated in the American legislative process.
For upcoming session dates and to donate, contact Cheryle Totten at youthlegislature@yahoo.com.
