KYA Overview
ON THIS PAGE: Dates/Deadlines • Fees • Program Areas • Leadership Positions • Sample Agendas
The Kentucky Youth Assembly (KYA) is an expanded, educational opportunity in which students serve as part of a model state government. KYA offers students the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of issues, develop critical thinking skills, and articulate their beliefs while engaging constructively with their peers from around the Commonwealth.
KYA 2024 Registration is now closed.
Intents for KYA 2025 will open in summer 2025.
If you don't yet have access to the advisor portal, please contact Rianna@kyymca.org
Conference Dates and Deadlines
2024 Conference Fees
STUDENT FEES
$285 for Student Y Members | $295 for Non-Members
ADVISOR FEES
$155 for Advisors with Shared Room | $255 for Advisors with Private Room
You will notice that our costs for KYA participants has increased. This is necessary to cover the cost of rising vendors' services, including hotel rooms and food. We HIGHLY encourage students to apply for Need-Based Scholarship.
Disclaimers:
- Due to Capitol renovations, we are unable to return to the Capitol for the 2024 KYA season.
- Any conference could be moved virtually or condensed depending on registration numbers.
- Special programs like chairperson and doorkeeper roles have limited availability and are not guaranteed. Priority will be given to those who register earlier when needed.
Note: After each KYA season, we take feedback from advisors, students and Y-Staff to continually improve our programming. The up-to-date changes document for our KYA program are available on our KYA Resources page.
What Students Have to Say ...
"Wow. I cannot even put into words how blown away I am by this conference. I’m going to be honest. I was really scared for this year. As the conference began to draw near, I was afraid that it wouldn’t be the same or that I would let someone down. However the energy, care, and passion of this group of people has inspired me. The perseverance and strength I have seen have reminded me that what ties this community together is passion, and an inherent desire to make this world a better place. The passion of the other presiding officers up here with me has amazed and enlightened me. Thank you guys for everything."
Arden Ensor, KYA Participant
Student Program Areas
At KYA, students participate in one of the Program Areas at the Assembly based on their grade and experience. Each area is led by Presiding and Supporting Officers, with a variety of Delegate Roles available to participants:
Commonwealth House & Senate | HS & MS | See Eligibility Chart
The highest level of our House and Senate – Commonwealth delegates research, write, and debate bills on state policy issues. The number of Commonwealth Bills delegations can sponsor depends on how many Commonwealth delegates they have attending KYA.
The Legislative Research Commission (HS CW Only) - returning this year (24/25), bill sponsors will be able to meet with Presiding Officers over Zoom to get feedback on their bills and ensure they're in the correct format and Constitutional. All bills that are Constitutional will be given the LRC Seal of Approval on their CW bill in their conference bill book!
Zoom Dates for the LRC have now ended. They were held on:
- Tuesday, October 8 from 5-6 PM EST
- Tuesday, October 15 from 6-7 PM EST
- Tuesday, October 22 from 5-6 PM EST
- Tuesday, October 29 from 6-7 PM EST
- Tuesday, November 5 from 5-6 PM EST
Presiding Officers
Speaker of CW House
Pres. of CW Senate
Supporting Officers
Clerk of CW House
Clerk of CW Senate
Committee Chairs / Pro Tem.
Delegate Roles
Representatives & Senators
Bill Sponsors (1-4 per bill)
Doorkeepers(1 per sch.)
Bluegrass House & Senate | HS & MS | See Eligibility Chart
The introductory level of our House and Senate – Bluegrass delegates research, write, and debate bills on state policy issues. The number of Bluegrass Bills delegations can sponsor depends on how many Bluegrass delegates they have attending KYA.
Presiding Officers*
Speaker of BG House
Pres. of BG Senate
Supporting Officers
Clerk of CW House
Clerk of CW Senate
Committee Chairs / Pro Tem.
Delegate Roles
Representatives & Senators
Bill Sponsors (1-4 per bill)
Doorkeepers(1 per sch.)
Media Corps | HS Only | Gr. 10-12, 1 per delegation Media delegates craft compelling news stories on important Assembly topics. Students will find themselves working on written journalism, social media, photo journalism, and broadcast journalism.
Presiding Officers
Editor-in-Chief
Supporting Officers
Assistant Editor(s)
Delegate Roles
Media Delegates
Supreme Court | HS Only | Gr. 10-12, 1 team of 1-3 students per delegation
A first-come, first-served program, Supreme Court delegates serve as attorneys presenting oral arguments before the KYA Supreme Court made up of student Justices, and also advise the Attorney General on the constitutionality of bills passed by the Commonwealth House and Senate.
Presiding Officers
Chief Justice
Attorney General
Supporting Officers
Justices (6)
Clerk of the Supreme Court
Delegate Roles
Attorneys (1 team per del.)
Exec. Cabinet & Lobbyists | HS & MS | 1 Lobbyist per Commonwealth Bill
Lobbyist delegates represent clients by using advocacy and networking to influence debate in the Commonwealth House and Senate and persuade Cabinet Secretaries to support their positions. *At Middle School KYA, the Governor, Lt. Governor, and their Chiefs of Staff are the only members of the Executive branch.
Presiding Officers
Governor
Lt. Governor
Sec. of Exec. Cabinet
Secretary of State
Supporting Officers
Gov. Chief of Staff
Lt. Gov. Chief of Staff
Cabinet Secretaries (5)
Delegate Roles
Lobbyists
Student Leadership Positions
Presiding Officers are Student Y members elected from candidates or chosen by their Program Area to serve as Assembly leadership. They are assisted by Supporting Officers to ensure that their respective Program Areas are running smoothly. All Officers are supported by YMCA professionals, advisors, alumni, and parent volunteers.
Students interested in running for an elected Presiding Officer position should visit the Candidate and Election page to declare and review guidelines in preparation for their campaigns.
Sample Assembly Agendas
To get an idea of what takes place on each day of KYA, please view our sample agendas – one for High School KYA and another for Middle School KYA – that will help provide information on the timing and flow of the assembly.
Sample High School Agenda
Sample Middle School Agenda
Sample KYA Food Agenda (2024)