<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2CxprR_1Gs9W40B00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2CxprR_1Gs9W40B00" width="800" height="450" >What is the main goal of Maine YMCA Youth &amp; Government Program?AUGUSTA, ME (WGME) - Nearly 200 students took over the state house for Maine YMCA Youth &amp; Government Program.It comes just days after Mainers cast their ballots for the midterms.Lonney Steeves, Director of Maine YMCA Youth and Government Program, says the program helps give students an idea of what it's like to work in politics. They research, debate, and vote directly from the desks of real policymakers.“Youth and Government is a great civic engagement opportunity for young people to come be a part of learning about how government works, and participating in it,” Steeves said. “All the people that are running the show this weekend are elected by their peers. All the issues that they’re debating are written by themselves. We as adults kind of stand back, we train them how to do it, and then watch them go and see what young people are thinking about politically.”David Shaw from Presque Isle High School says learning about the legislative process is a great experience for students like himself.“It’s learning how to speak up for yourself. If you want change, you’ve got to be the one to make the change," Shaw said. “In some bills, there are over 10 amendments and it’s really cool to see how they change and how they evolve to fit everybody’s wants and needs. The House and the Senate, they’re just starting to see bills come in and coming through, and they’re debating them, amending them."Mustafa Muhee from Deering High School was elected as one of the house chairs. “When I first came to this program, I was nervous as many people are. As I grew into the program, I found life into it and I found how it’s really encouraging and can really build out your leadership and future," Muhee said. Stella Martinelli from Erskine Academy believes the program is an opportunity for students to grow into leaders when they enter the real world. “This program allows us to understand who’s representing us, understand our government, and allows us to understand how we can contribute," Martinelli said. </div></body>

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AUGUSTA, ME (WGME) - Nearly 200 students took over the state house for Maine YMCA Youth & Government Program. It comes just days after Mainers cast their ballots for the midterms. Lonney Steeves, Director of Maine YMCA Youth and Government Program, says the program helps give students an idea of...

Students take over statehouse for youth and government program

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AUGUSTA, ME (WGME) - Nearly 200 students took over the state house for Maine YMCA Youth & Government Program. It comes just days after Mainers cast their b

Students take over statehouse for youth and government program

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