WASHINGTON — Young people getting excited about participating in civic engagement right here in the nation's capital is something to get uplifted about.
Over the weekend, 120 middle and high school D.C.-area students who are a part of the YMCA's Youth and Government civics education program took part in what's called the 'Legislative Weekend.' They spent the weekend training to become the next generation of leaders by immersing themselves in what it's like to propose legislation, debate issues, and elect their next youth mayor.
The annual event is educational but also hopes to inspire young people to see themselves in government since less than 30% of Congress is made up of women and less than 20% consists of people of color.
The event got its start in the 1930s and is now one of the YMCA's national civics-minded programs. And WUSA9 has been told many past alumni of the Youth and Government program go on to hold actual elected office.
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