By Aubree Sipsy (Cherokee County)
“It is our passion and voice that shines within us that makes the future brighter, because we all come from different parts of Alabama, here in Montgomery, from our own counties, from our own stories that need to be told,” Gov. Camila Lopez said in her opening remarks for the 2023 Youth Legislature at the Embassy Suites Hotel.
Gov. Camilia Lopez addresses the opening session. Photo by JaMez Williams (BTW Magnet High School)
Gov. Lopez shared how her parents immigrated from Colombia with her older sibling to give her family more opportunities.
“My mom and dad come from a different world,” she said. “Their reality never let them finish high school. Their reality never let them go out of town, and their reality never let them succeed. Because of them, I’ve been able to have the opportunity to learn, the opportunity to dream a dream that a first-generation immigrant daughter can become more than her circumstance, that she can become her own voice.”
The youth governor expressed gratitude for the Youth in Government program, which gives her and others a voice, a dream and a chance for success.
“This program has given me a microphone. Here in this place and at this conference, our differences don’t limit our potential. This conference gives us a chance to go and walk up to that podium in the traditional halls of power and say what we want to tell our stories,” she said.
Welcome By Leonard Speed, YMCA Vice President
By Jayden King (Cherokee County)
Leonard Speed, vice president of operations for the YMCA of Greater Montgomery, welcomed Youth Legislature delegates, speaking about our responsibilities, decision making and future – for not only Youth Legislature, but ourselves. He told us to “stay passionate” about what we want, to speak up about what we believe in. He wants us to embrace this time we spend at Youth Legislature, to make memories and friends, and to most importantly, have fun.