What is YIG, you ask? YIG is short for Youth in Government. It's a YMCA sponsered program for kids grades 8 through 12. Each state's program is a little different depending on funding, interest, etc. and, if I do say so myself, Minnesota's is one of the best.

When I was in 9th grade I joined YIG. Some kids that had been in it the previous year came around to different classrooms in my school to tell us about it. All I heard was, "4 days in a hotel with a ton of other kids around my age, game nights, karaoke, the Governor's Ball and meeting cute boys." I was sold. So, along with some of my other friends, I joined.

Explaining YIG can either be easy or hard. The program itself is designed to teach kid about state government. In Minnesota's program there are different sections:

• Pages (that program has since changed; nonetheless it's only available to 8th graders)
• Courts
• Legislature (House and Senate)
• TV
• Radio
• Along with those comes, of course, the AG's office (attourney general), SOS office (Secretary of State), the governor, etc.

Basically, for 4 days kids from all over Minnesota make a mock state government, complete with court cases, writing and presenting bills, learned parliamentary procedure, running a radio show and a TV show, etc. In my humble opinion YIG is the BEST way to learn how state government works.

Back in 9th grade I had NO IDEA how much this program would change me. Like I said, I was in it for the 4 day stay at the Minneapolis Hilton with my friends and to meet cute boys.

In the 4 years I was a delegate at YIG I learned so much about state government, I made friends, met my first boyfriend, became more outgoing and learned that I actually sore of LIKE public speaking. I made so many good memories at this program.

In fact, because of those memories I even came back for 2 years and volunteered to help with the 8th grade program.

I haven't been back to YIG to help in a few years. But every time January rolls around I think of all those good times and all the things I learned. I remember that YIG is why I have such an appreciation for politics. Hell, YIG was how I learned the difference between republicans and democrats (and that, really, those differences are SO BLURRED).

To say that I miss those times is an understatement. I miss YIG with my whole core. It honestly was my very favorite part of high school. Hell, I loved the program so much that in 10th through 12th grade I applied for appointed positions so that I could go to leadership overnights.

So yeah. January, to me, will forever make me think of this special program.

All the pictures are from my last year (12th grade) as a delegate at YIG.

Pic 1: My roommates and me, along with Ben (the ex that I met through YIG) at the Minnesota Capitol building
Pic 2: My friend, Shelli, and me at the Governor's Ball
Pic 3: Karaoke at the Gov's Ball (I have no idea who that guy is but we were having fun)
Pic 4: The Minnesota Capitol Building. LOVE that place.