RALEIGH — The General Assembly’s Legislative Services Office has announced it is accepting applications for the Youth Legislative Assembly (YLA) to take place in Raleigh. The assembly will run for three days, starting April 8 and concluding April 10.
YLA is a “mock legislative session where high school students voice their opinions and vote on issues concerning local, state and national government,” according to the event webpage hosted on the General Assembly’s website.
“The YLA gives high school students a unique opportunity to get an in-depth understanding of the laws governing North Carolina’s citizens and experience the lawmaking process,” says a press release from state Sen. Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson).
According to the statement, “Students draft, debate, and vote on mock legislative bills while developing skills in research, interviewing, group facilitation, and policy writing. As bills are debated, students get a chance to practice communicating their ideas, opinions, and experiences in a team-building environment.”
The application period runs through Feb. 1, 2022. Any North Carolina high school student in good standing at a public, private, charter, or home school is eligible to participate in the program.
The application can be found online: https://www.ncleg.gov/YLA.