2024 LEGISLATIVE YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL (LYAC)

2024 LEGISLATIVE YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL (LYAC)
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
APPLY NOW FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPACT STATE POLICY AFFECTING LOUISIANA'S YOUTH
There is a place for young people to make a difference in state government by serving as a member of the Louisiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council, a body composed entirely of high school students with the purpose of addressing issues affecting the youth of Louisiana. The Louisiana Commission on Civic Education is now accepting applications for membership on the youth council.

The purpose of the Legislative Youth Advisory Council is to facilitate communication between youth and the legislature and to give students an opportunity to be involved in the workings of government. Students selected to serve will have the opportunity to study and address issues of importance to youth. The Louisiana Commission on Civic Education oversees the work of the youth council and participates in the appointment of council members.

Thirty-one student members are appointed each year, which includes three members representing each of the six congressional districts and additional at-large members. Youth members must be between the ages of 14 and 19 and be enrolled in a public, private, or charter high school, a home school program, or a GED skills program for the 2024-2025 school year.
Application deadline: Must be postmarked or submitted online no later than Friday, March 15, 2024.
Meetings are held in September, November, January, March, May, and there is a two-day seminar in July. The council always meets on Saturdays at the Louisiana Municipal Association building except for the two-day seminar which is held at the Louisiana State Capitol.
To Apply for Membership:
How did you hear about the Louisiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council?
PART II: PARENTAL CONSENT FORM: A parent or legal guardian must sign and submit a consent form for students applying to be considered.

PART III: RECOMMENDATION FORM & LETTERS: A school administrator, teacher, or representative of a community or school-sponsored club or organization (with a civic mission) writes and submits a letter of recommendation. Two recommendations are required. Two recommendations are required.
PART I. STUDENT APPLICATION
Please provide active email addresses as this is the method used to contact you.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Student Name:
Age:
Address

Street

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Zip
Student's Cell Phone:
Student's Email:
example@example.com
Parent/Legal Guardian Name:
Home Phone:
Father/Guardian's Cell Phone:
Mother/Guardian's Cell Phone:
Father/Guardian's Email:
example@example.com
Mother/Guardian's Email:
example@example.com
HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION
I attend (check the appropriate box):
Select One

Public/Private High SchoolHome SchoolCharter SchoolGED Skills Program
School:
Address

School Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Zip
High School Grade Level in Fall of 2024: Check one:
Select One

9th10th11th12th
In which Congressional District is your school located?
(You may find the congressional district by accessing www.legis.la.gov. On the home page, under the "Who Are My Legislators" tab, enter the school address to find your district.)
SHORT ESSAY
We would like to learn more about you and why you are interested in representing youth in Louisiana. Briefly answer the following questions in 150 words or less.
1. Why do you want to serve as a member of the Legislative Youth Advisory Council, and, if selected, how will your experience on the youth council affect your goals and life choices on civic involvement?
Answer to question 1.
2. What do you think is the most important issue facing Louisiana youth today? How would you hope to impact this issue using your experience as a LYAC member?
Answer to question 2.
3. To date, what has been your greatest achievement or accomplishment, whether civically, creatively, or academically?
Answer to question 3.
4. If you could meet any Louisiana public figure (past or present), who would he or she be and why?
Answer to question 4.
5. Every effort is made to ensure the council members represent the diverse population of Louisiana. Please describe what viewpoint you can bring to LYAC, what makes it unique, and why it is important that these viewpoints are represented. (For the purposes of this question, "diverse" means a council that offers a strength of multicultural backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, or physical abilities/qualities.)
Answer to question 5.
6. Please describe what you believe to be the fundamental qualities of a good leader.
Answer to question 6.
7. List any skill or talent you have that may contribute to the work of the youth council.
Answer to question 7.
8. List your membership in any school/community clubs, organizations, and activities, including any offices or leadership positions held.
Answer to question 8.
PART II. PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN CONSENT FORM
The Louisiana Commission on Civic Education actively invites and encourages all high school students in grades 9 through 12, ages 14 to 19, to submit an application for membership on the Louisiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council. If your child is selected, every effort will be made to minimize any burden of council activities on your child's school responsibilities and other personal priorities, including any unnecessary personal financial burden on you and your family. However, you will be responsible for providing transportation to and from any meeting or event of the council.
PERMISSION TO SEEK MEMBERSHIP ON THE LEGISLATIVE YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL
My child is interested in becoming a member of the Louisiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council and I support and authorize his/her participation, if selected. I understand that I am responsible for the transportation of my child to and from any youth council meeting or event.
Child's Name
PHOTO RELEASE
I understand that the youth council may attract attention from the media and that my child may be photographed or filmed during any meeting or event. Therefore, I hereby grant permission to use photographs, video recordings, or other electronic or printed communications of my child, if selected. I understand that such photographs, recordings, or other communications may be used for public display on the official website of the Commission on Civic Education or in other publications referencing the participation of students as members of the youth council.
RELEASE FROM LIABILITY
I, the undersigned, expressly release the Louisiana Commission on Civic Education, and any of its members and staff, any participating public official, or any other participating agency/organization from any and all claims which may arise during the term of my child's membership if he/she is selected.
Signature of Parent/Legal Guardian
Date

MonthDayYear
Date
PART III. RECOMMENDATION FORM & LETTER
A student may be considered for membership on the Louisiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council only upon the recommendation of one of the following: (1) a school administrator, (2) a teacher, (3) a representative of a home school program, (4) a representative of a GED skills program, or (5) a representative of a school-sponsored or community service club or organization which has a civic mission. Two letters are required.
Recommendation letters should highlight the student's civic interest, work ethic, leadership ability, ability to communicate effectively, and sense of responsibility.

Mail your completed letter to the address below or email it to bellam@legis.la.gov. (Email Preferred)

Louisiana Commission on Civic Education
c/o Louisiana Senate/ Megan Bella
Post Office Box 94183
Baton Rouge, LA 70804

The letter will be placed with the appropriate student application.
Subpart A: GENERAL INFORMATION
Name (person making the recommendation):
Email address:
example@example.com
Telephone number (daytime):
Check One:

School AdministratorTeacherRepresentative of home school programRepresentative of GED skills programRepresentative of a school or community club/organization with a civic missionOther:
Name of club or organization:
Name of student making application:
Email address:
example@example.com
School:
Address of School:
City:
Congressional District in which School is Located:
Subpart B: LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Two letters of recommendation are required in order for an application to be considered. Please submit the letters with this form to the address listed above.
If your application is not selected, would you still like to be involved and attend the LYAC meetings?
Select One

Yes. Let me know when and where the LYAC meetings will be held.Not at this time.
Email address:
example@example.com
How did you hear about the Louisiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council?
Newspaper

NewspaperTelevisionLegislator or other public officialTeacher or school administratorLYAC MemberInternetOther
Club or organization Which one?
Comments:
Please verify that you are human*
Should be Empty:

2024 LEGISLATIVE YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL (LYAC)

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

APPLY NOW FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPACT STATE POLICY AFFECTING LOUISIANA'S YOUTH

To Apply for Membership:

PERSONAL INFORMATION

HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION

PART II. PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN CONSENT FORM

PERMISSION TO SEEK MEMBERSHIP ON THE LEGISLATIVE YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL

PHOTO RELEASE

RELEASE FROM LIABILITY

Subpart A: GENERAL INFORMATION

Subpart B: LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION