The Arizona State Capitol was buzzing with fresh faces this week when the Maricopa Youth Council, comprising of committed local teens, got a hands-on political education. According to City of Maricopa officials, they were led by key state legislators, including Rep. Teresa Martinez and Sen. TJ Shope, as they toured the facility and even took a stab at voting on a mock bill.
Program coordinator Rebecca Bennet praised the teenagers' dedication. She said,“The Maricopa Youth Council is a passionate group of teenagers dedicated to their community. Their commitment shines through the various events and activities they volunteer for. This helps develop a strong sense of social responsibility, teaching them the importance of giving back to their community. It's evident in everything they do,” Monthly meetings and volunteering stints are regular activities for these teens, which helps foster a sense of social responsibility within them.
The highlight for many was participating in a mock voting session on the House floor, an educational highlight that gave them a slice of the legislative process. Councilmember Henry Wade, who accompanied the youth, saw firsthand the eagerness and involvement of the council members. Wade told officials, "It was good to see how interested our Youth Council were and how quickly they were willing to get involved with the entire experience."
"It was a very insightful and educational experience. My personal favorite part of the trip was the mock bill that we could partake in thanks to Representative Teresa Martinez, the experience was very enjoyable and gave us a sense of the process to pass a bill," began Lucas Bennett, a Youth Council member. Meanwhile, fellow council member Araya Tannehill echoed the sentiment, "Representative Martinez did a fantastic job teaching us the history of the House and allowing us the chance to vote on a mock bill. Overall, the experience was very memorable and a great learning experience and something we won’t forget,"
Find out more about the program and the application process through the City of Maricopa's website.
