Secretary of State Tre Hargett will present a prestigious Medallion Award to a group of students from YMCA’s Youth in Government program Friday.
Sponsored by the YMCA Center for Civic Engagement, the Youth in Government program provides opportunities for more than 1,000 middle and high school students to conduct mock sessions of the Tennessee General Assembly and the United Nations each year. Secretary Hargett will present the award to a group of students participating in one of the mock sessions of the General Assembly.
Secretary Hargett made a similar presentation to a different group of program participants during a mock legislative session last month.
“I am glad to have the opportunity to honor the YMCA Center for Civic Engagement with the Medallion Award,” Secretary Hargett said. “The center’s commitment to the Youth in Government program helps to inspire some of our future leaders to participate in public service and the legislative process.”
Medallion Awards are presented by individual secretaries of state across the country and are intended to recognize individuals or organizations who have helped promote voter education and participation, civic education and government service. Each secretary of state may present up to five Medallion Awards annually.
“We are honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Susan Moriarty, executive director of the YMCA Center for Civic Engagement. Because schools don't provide this type of hands-on learning experience, “it is important for students to see government in action.”
The Youth in Government program is in its 58th year. Some of its notable alumni include former U.S. Senator and White House Chief of Staff Howard Baker, Jr., current State Senator Brian Kelsey, former Congressman Bob Clement and former State Representative and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber.
The award presentation will take place Friday at 9:30 a.m. in the State Capitol’s House Chamber. Former Governor Winfield Dunn is among the invited guests.