Center For Youth Voice Launches Blog
During the Youth in Government conference this past January, we hosted a “Senior Sendoff” to welcome graduating seniors into the Center For Youth Voice alumni community.
Alyssa Nestingen attended the conference as a Resource Advisor (a position filled by college-aged alumni who assist in programming during the conference). She gave a speech that beautifully captured the sentiment of our alumni community.
As we launch our CYV alumni blog, Alyssa’s speech so accurately sums up what we are trying to do with our alumni communications.
“Youth in Government will always be here, ready and waiting to welcome you back to return to help others find their voice, to share the knowledge and experiences you’ve gained, and to build relationships with new delegates, and reconnect with old friends.”
Alyssa said, “The impact you’ve made as a delegate doesn’t graduate with you—it carries on through the legacy you continue to create as alumni.” Her words couldn’t be more accurate.
The Center For Youth Voice alumni network is here to be the connector between current programming and alumni. We want to keep you informed, get you involved and give you a place to reconnect with the program and the friends that meant so much to you when you were a delegate.
We hope that you will reach out to connect with us, share your memories, and share your talents, taking part in the incredible work we are doing.
To hear more from this inspirational leader, please enjoy Alyssa’s full speech below:
As seniors, I know this weekend feels really bittersweet—it's your last conference as delegates, but I want you to remember that despite this unfortunate reality, your YIG experience is not meant to end there.
Tomorrow, as you leave this conference, you have the honor of joining a very special group of people called YIG alumni. And although leaving behind the traditions and routines of high school might feel overwhelming to you right now, take comfort in knowing that YIG doesn’t have to be one of those traditions that you let go of.
Being a YIG alum means carrying forward the legacy you’ve helped build. Think back to your first conference—when someone guided you, supported you, or inspired you. That person was most likely a YIG alum who had returned to make an impact. Now, you have the opportunity to become that person for someone else and support the younger people who follow in your footsteps.
Coming back as an alum isn’t just about giving back; it’s about staying connected to a community that has shaped you in so many ways. It’s about mentoring delegates who will one day sit where you are now. And it’s about fostering the environment that allowed you to grow and thrive—and seeing the program flourish because of YOUR continued involvement.
The next few years of your life will be filled with so many changes. Whether you are pursuing a career or a degree, you are going to face challenges that force you to grow in ways you can’t yet understand, but you are also going to build memories that you couldn’t imagine living without.
Regardless of where you are at in life when the time of year rolls around to register for the conference, Youth in Government will always be here, ready and waiting to welcome you back to return to help others find their voice. Share the knowledge and experiences you’ve gained. Build relationships with new delegates and reconnect with old friends.
Because the impact you’ve made as a delegate doesn’t graduate with you—it carries on through the legacy you continue to create as alumni. Instead of fighting the inevitable, I hope that every one of you here tonight can embrace your newfound role as a YIG alum.
Thank you, and I can’t wait to see each and every one of you at the conference next year.
Alyssa Nestingen is a Sophomore at Fordham University, studying Business Administration on the Pre-Law track.