Published in the March 2007 issue of Mockingbird Times

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Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing. - Abraham Lincoln.

Ambition is what advocacy what brought advocacy day upon us, the will to change and make change. The will to create change, it was ambition that brought everyone to come and participate in youth advocacy training, and youth advocacy day. On February 6, 2007 Mockingbird put on its 5th annual Youth Advocacy Training Day. Youth Advocacy Training Day is a day where we educate all the people who will be going down to Olympia about the legislative process, learn who the legislators are, and prepare them to meet, greet, and speak with representatives, and Senators.

First, we had a great lunch, which is the best way to start training. Then, Mockingbird went into explaining a few of the previous bills  We had passed, for example allowing 50 foster youth to stay in care until the age of 21 to pursue higher education which was House Bill 2002. We have also passed many others. After that we went into the process of a bill and how it goes through several committees, until it reaches the house, or the senate. Once it goes through either, it has to go through the same process in the counterpart. Soon after that, we had a few skits done by Mockingbird's own Raquel Granath, and Misty Lou Cook. They demonstrated how and how not to act in front of legislators. After that we watched the movie School House Rock, which also explained the legislative process in a funnier more cartoonist way.  Then Jamica Henderson, and some youth from Seattle King County Coalition for Homeless Youth (SKCCH), spoke on a panel about their youth advocacy day experiences.   We spent the rest of the time making posters and signs to display at the actual Youth Advocacy Day.

On February 9, 2007 Youth Advocacy Day took place.  It was a wonderful experience and it was my first time ever being there. I was co-facilitator with Jim Theofelis-Executive director of mockingbird. It was a new experience but it turned out to be a great one. It was quite eye opening to go and experience the legislative process in action. We opened the day with introductions.  Soon after we had a few speakers, who came and gave personal testimonies from Youth Advocacy Days in the past, and how they were affected by not having something like SB 1201 then the people who made posters got a chance to go on a march around the capitol campus, holding their signs high. During this time we could also go into the capitol building and watch the session to see exactly how bills are debated and how the whole legislative system works in action. I took the liberty of going into the senate, but unfortunately they were at ease. This was an amazing opportunity for a lot of people who have no idea about how certain bills are made and how people's lives are affected, by the laws that are made.

After that there was time to eat some lunch and, listen to personal testimonies from a few senators and representatives. I had the honor of meeting my district representative Eric Pettigrew. I was even offered an internship to become a page. A few other people came like Mary Helen Roberts came through. She was a republican which I think was perfect because there should always be a good mix of the political presence. We also got a chance to hear from Senator Rosa Franklin who is Prime Sponsor of Senate Bill 1201. Representative Ruth Kagi came to speak also. There was a great mix; it was a very unique experience.

Ambition is what makes this happen. This awesome experience would have never come to be if it wasn't for people taking initiative and taking control of their future, and others who have not discovered a voice yet. It is about people helping others and making a difference, one step at a time. I would like to give a big thank you to all those people who came out and supported youth advocacy day. The people who helped create, youth advocacy day, and the people who are going to help keep advocacy day here. It is amazing the power one collective group can have, and you can see it through youth advocacy day. Giving People a voice, that is what matters most.

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