A Capitol Idea
Youth and Government Program Helps Students Push Passion Projects to State Legislature
Students like Paloma Buck from Wayside Middle School are proving that even at a young age, they have the passion and drive to make a difference.
Buck qualified for the Junior Youth and Government state conference in Austin last spring with her bill to reduce litter in Texas by offering homeowners a tax incentive for picking up trash.
“Texas used to be really pretty, but everywhere you go there’s litter, and I don’t appreciate that,” she shared. “I like parks with no trash, and I want to make more of Texas like that.”
EMS ISD partners with the YMCA of Greater Fort Worth to offer the Youth and Government program, which gives students the chance to experience the legislative process firsthand and empowers them to turn their ideas into action. The district has a large student involvement in the program and, with growing participation across EMS ISD middle school campuses, these young leaders are making their voices heard, tackling real-world issues, and
earning top honors at both district
and state levels.
After watching a presentation about how they can “make a change,” students design their own bills to address issues they’re passionate about. Buck’s innovative bill, which passed at the district level and in committee at state, is just one example of how EMS ISD students are addressing real issues with real solutions through partnerships within the local community. From increasing teacher pay to extending shelter times for animals, the ideas are
as diverse as the students themselves.
The road to Austin, however, isn’t easy. Before they step foot in the Capitol, students must first present their bills at the district level, honing their research, public speaking, and critical thinking skills along the way.
“The dedication these students show is inspiring,” said Dawn Reynolds, English teacher and Youth and Government advisor at Ed Willkie Middle School. “They work so hard to craft their bills
and prepare for the tough questions they’ll face from committees and
fellow delegates.”
Once in Austin, students get the full legislative experience, competing against 500 students from across
Texas to present their bills on the floor of the Texas Capitol. For many, it’s an unforgettable moment.
“I was the only student from Wayside to get a bill passed [out of committee],” Buck said, reflecting on her experience. “It felt amazing to know that my idea had been heard and supported.”
The impact of the Youth and Government program extends beyond legislative skills. As Reynolds notes, “This program gives me hope for the future. These students see areas where we can improve, and they want to make a difference.” Through their participation in this non-partisan program, students learn leadership, civic responsibility, and how to turn their ideas into action – all while having fun along the way.
With excellence in personalized opportunities a pillar of EMS ISD’s strategic plan, the district has committed to offering Youth and Government at this younger age, with student delegations from Creekview, Ed Willkie, Marine Creek, Prairie Vista, and Wayside middle schools all taking part in the three-day state conference. At last year’s event, EMS ISD students earned both Distinguished Delegate and Premier Delegation honors, a testament to their hard work and dedication.
With another year of recruiting underway, Reynolds is optimistic about the future of the program.
“We’re seeing more and more students take an interest in politics and the legislative process,” she said. “It’s exciting to see them realize that they have the power to make a change.”
Buck, along with her fellow EMS ISD Youth and Government participants, are proof that the future is in good hands, as they are already making their mark today on our EMS ISD community.
