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KYA JournalVolume 1: Issue 7 December 15, 2015

The Governor SpotlightBy: Ysabella Leon and Emma Carlton

From bill author, to chaplain, all the way to gover-nor, Koby Batts has been involved with KYA for ve

years. He tells he has always wanted to becomegovernor so he can “make the state the best it canbe.” Koby has many role models, but his mother,Kim, is the most inspiring of them all. She loves towatch him swim and give him advice about beinga good authority gure. We asked Koby about his

experience at KYA and his role as governor.

Q: Have you held any other leadership roles besidesgovernor at KYA?A: I have been a bill author, and in 7th grade I waschaplain.

Q: Over the years you have come, what has beenyour favorite thing?

A: Probably last year when I was elected governor,but I’m really looking forward to today and seeingwhat the role of governor really is.

Q: What has been your favorite part of KYA so far

this year?A: The energy, by far!

Q: Obviously you were really excited when you wereelected governor, but what specically was going

through your head?

A: I was asking myself, “Did this really just hap-pen?” I remember messing up as I was swearing inbecause I was so excited I couldn’t pay attention towhat he was saying that I had to repeat.

Q: If you were a sandwich, what would you be, andwhy?A: I would be a turkey and cheese sandwich forsure, because that’s basic and really good!

Koby is really excited about being our governor,and he wants to send a message to this year’scandidates. He wants to tell them “to just have funwith their campaign and meet a lot of people.”

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The New Media Corps; MagicBy: Rylee Bush

When I rst walked into the doors, I never knew the

experiences that I would take on. Being in MediaCorps is a once in a lifetime opportunity that only afew delegates get to experience. Fortunately, I amone of the few lucky ones that get to be a part ofthis incredible journey. Each day, the Media Corpsmembers get to walk around each meeting to takepictures, get ideas for articles, videotape speeches,

make memories, and have the fun times that onlywe get to experience. We are the ones who capture

moments on pencil and paperor on a camera that some peo-ple might forget.I have learned so many things

that I will not only use at KYAbut also in the future. Fromhanging out in the Media Roomto taking pictures when a billpasses in the Senate, being inMedia Corps will always be myfavorite part of KYA. This ex-perience has truly changed mylife. From being just a normalteenager coming to KYA, I nowfeel as if I am a young journal-ist. The relationships that wehave made will be a long-last-ing bond that we will never

forget. When I asked a new Media friend what her

relationships that she had made were like, sheresponded with “Having new friends with the sameinterests as me really makes it easier to bond withstudents just like me at KYA.” Being in the media islike a special token to having an amazing time atKYA. Like I said before, the media has really im-

pacted me as a delegate, and just as a teenager.

Getting to Know

your CandidatesBy: Katie Bunch, Rory Kiser, KiaraJackson, Laikin Tackett

Eight candidates… only three positions. Who will winthe spots of our KYA Executive Committee for the2015-2016 year? We have interviewed all of our

candidates, so let’s dive right in to getting to knowthem and their personal experiences with the Y. Eachand every candidate had a different answer for ourquestions.We started off with an interview with Nick Wimber,

a student at Holy Name School. Along with many

other questions, we asked him what his favorite partof KYA was. He replied with, “It’s just a good expe-

rience. I love meeting new people. Everyone hereis very nice and respectful, and that’s one of myfavorite parts.” Next up, Grace Neal, a student at

Bondurant Middle School.We asked Grace what KYA truly meant to her and

she said, “KYA truly means meeting new people and

getting an experience. You know… giving your voiceand opinion out.” We then interviewed a candidate

from Rockcastle Middle School, Ashlyn Brock, whosays her favorite part of KYA so far was just get-ting to know new people and seeing their view ofthings. Next was a student from Franklin Simpson

Middle School, Hallie Anna Lindsey. When asked

who motivated her, Hallie Anna said, “denitely my

mom. She loved debating at KYA when she was myage. Sometimes, she even likes to debate at home!”Following Hallie, we interviewed Kaitlyn Ashby, a



student at Bullitt LickMiddle School who toldus, “KYA has changedme in so many ways. Iused to be scared andshy… I’m not anymore.”Many of the candidatessaid that KYA has really

brought them out oftheir comfort zone.Now, they are more

outgoing individuals,compared to what theyonce were. FollowingKaitlyn, we interviewedHope Pace, coming fromHopkinsville. We asked

her how the Y has been

transformational inher life. She replied with, “I’vereally been able to open up andspeak in front of everyone. If Ihadn’t gone to KYA two yearsago, I would have never been ableto get up in front of everyone

yesterday.” We then interviewedStuart Kernohan from BowlingGreen Jr. High School. We asked

him what KYA means to him. Stu-art said that KYA was a place hewent to learn and nd out about

new ideas and people. After

talking with Stuart, next upwas candidate Olivia Han-ke from St. Margaret MarySchool. A lot of preparationtakes place for these typesof events, so we askedhow she prepared to runfor executive committee.

“Well, research is key.”Hanke said. “We also met

throughout the week.” Last,but denitely not least, we

talked with Caleb Wiegandt

coming from Notre Dame

Academy about his abso-lute favorite part of KYA.He said, “denitely the Y

songs… I love them.”

Along with many differentopinions and platforms, all eightof our candidates are very sim-ilar. They all share a passion fordebating, public speaking, andtheir peers, but they also share alove for KYA.

Advise to New KYA Participant

By: Laurel SherrerIt’s that time of the year again, time for the KYYMCA’s KYA conference at the Crowne Plaza inLouisville, Kentucky! Since there are many newmembers coming to this KYA, I have decided togather advice from several experienced members topass down to new members. I have asked elevendifferent people the following question, “What

advice would you give to a new delegate attendingKYA?”Please see below for their great answers to myquestion!

A: “Don’t bring heavy clothes, it gets very hotin the rooms, no matter how many people arein there.”A: “If you have not worn heels before thisevent, do not wear them to the event. Trustme, your feet are going to hurt after KYA.”A: Keep track of your bill tri-fold board, weaccidentally threw ours away thinking it was

left over from our school’s Science Fair.A: “Have fun and be silly! You came to KYA tolet your voice be heard, and just by creatinga bill, that’s one step in the right direction.Make sure to make this experience count!”A: “Be kind to the people you meet.”A: “Bring food and use your resources (money,clothes, toothpaste, paper, etc.) wisely.”A: “We’re here to be professional and rep-resent our schools and our state well. Thinkabout the things you say; make your wordscount. Be proactive and brave. Talk about thingsof substance and depth, and leave behind friv-olous topics of the world.”A: “Have fun, make friends, and be nice! Youdon’t want to leave unhappy about this trip,now do you?”A: “Don’t stay up past curfew, get somesleep!”



If you are a new delegate we hope thatthese pieces of advice make your KYA

journey easy and fun! Some of the advicemay not apply to you, but we hope that theones that do have a positive impact on yourconference. My advice to you is let yourvoice be heard, where you are a bill author,advisor, Governor, candidates, media corps

member or delegate because you have avoice and KYA provides the perfect opportu-nity for it to be heard!

Hot Dogs or Forks: Get to Know

Your Ofcers and Y-StaffKoby Batts, Governor

Q: If you could sleep in any food, what would it

be?

A: “Warm tortillas, I guess? Because they are like,

warm?”

Q: Hot dogs or forks as ngers?

A: Forks as ngers.

Q: When was your rst time attending KYA?

A: When I was six years old, my mom was a spon-sor for Hopkinsville.

Q: What is your favorite part of KYA?

A: Getting elected governor at KYA. What the sec-ond day brings as being governor is also exciting.

Q: Who motivated you to go to a Y-Conference?

A: My mom motivated me because she was an ad-visor.

Katie Ivie, Speaker of the House


be?

A: The little angel food cakes, because they arespongy.


A: Forks as ngers. You can eat more food.


A: In 2013 when I was a seventh grader.

Q: Who motivated you to go to KYA?

A: My brother had a large inuence on me because

he attended many Y conferences. Additionally, myadvisor, Mrs. Shires motivated me and encouraged

me to get up and speak.

Mary Kate Godfrey, President of the Senate


be?

A: A cannoli because the sweet cheese is soft andwarm, while the outside of the cannoli can be usedas a blanket.


A: Forks as ngers.


A: 4 years ago, in 6th grade. I was a bill author.

Q: Who motivated you to go to KYA?

A: My friends at school who ran for Executive Com-mittee.

By: Autumn Courtney and Kiara Jackson



Olivia Sharp, WeDay Education Coordinator


be?

A: Marshmallow cream. It’s sticky, but it’s uffy.

Q: Hot dogs or forks for ngers?

A: Forks as ngers, hot dogs freak me out.

Q: What is your favorite part of KYA?A: The mixer before the dance, when everyone isreally hyped up and yelling to vote for candidates.

Shelby Carroll, Program Manager


be?

A: Mashed Potatoes.

Q: Hot dogs or forks for ngers?

A: Forks as ngers.

Q: KYA or KUNA?

A: Both. KYA is cool and KUNA is more creative.

Q: What’s your favorite part of KYA?

A: Watching people grow from the rst to second

day.

Drew Caldwell, Senior Director


be?

A: I would not sleep in food. Food is for eating.


A: Forks as ngers.

Q: KYA or KUNA?

A: Picking between KYA and KUNA is like picking

between your children, both are good.

Q: What’s your favorite part of KYA?

A: Watching people debate for the rst time.

In conclusion, we know one thing is for sure; noone wants hot dogs as ngers.

Special Thanks to

Our Media Corps Team!

Ysabella Leon

Emma Carlton

Rylee Bush

Katie Bunch

Rory Kiser

Kiara JacksonLaikin Tackett

Laurel Sherrer

Amanda Bates

Go For It! Bluegrass

January 16-18, 2016Camp Loucon

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