HOW SWEET IT IS! 🍭
The last night of the 54th Seminar its here and it's been an action-packed day!. Next, we are headed for a night full of action and fun:
First, let’s recap last night. Caucus last night was a blast! Our Political Party Process was as energetic and fun-filled as promised. Thanks to each party’s elected Party Chair who kept the night exciting!
We’ll Spotlight our final involvement session of the week: Individual, Group and Leadership (IGL) 🔐. Through small group activities and discussions, staffer Derrick O’Neal led delegates as they learned about problem solving and working as a team, skills that will be helpful throughout the week of LYS and as delegates return home. Delegates love this fun, laid back session!
This morning we held our General Election and Election Returns. 🗳
After some home group time, the delegation will put on their best ‘fit and head to the LSU Union for Banquet 🍽 where we:
Hear from LYS officers 🎤
Thank LYS donors and leadership 😘
Recognize LYS Awardees and hear from 2024 Roddy Richard Life Achievement Award Winner Senator John Breaux. 🏆
We will dance the night away 🔈 after we close with group of the day before heading to bed! 💤
PHOTOS FROM CAUCUS LAST NIGHT- WHAT FUN!
CONGRATS LYS OFFICERS!
See Below for the names of the WHIG, TORY and GENERAL ELECTION OFFICERS!
2024 LYS officers
🐷 = Whig 🐔 = Tory
After a long, exciting, fun-filled night of campaigning, strategizing, and voting; candidates from each party were able to move onto general election. Drumroll Please…. The results are in! This year’s LYS officers (Those in bold and underlined were voted by the whole delegation to represent LYS)!
🐔 Tory Party Representatives
🐔CHAIRPERSON - GREYSON SCHWARTZ
🐔SECRETARY/TREASURER - CAYLA BOLDEN
🐔VICE PRESIDENT - ADDYSYN CRUZ
🐔PRESIDENT - RAMAUN FERNANDEZ
🐷 Whig Party Representatives
🐷 CHAIRPERSON - ADDISON MORRIS
🐷 SECRETARY/TREASURER - ZAHARA FIRVEN
🐷 VICE PRESIDENT - CHLOE SPEARS
🐷 PRESIDENT - DALILA GULATI
“We are proud of you, say we are proud of you!”
As part of the LYS Banquet tonight we will honor three former staff members who have given ten years of active service to LYS by inducting them into the LYS Hall of Fame.
The 2024 LYS Hall of Fame inductees
Dr. Pete Croughan
Episcopal School of Acadiana High School | from Crowley
Yale Undergrad, UC-SF Med School, Harvard Residency
Interim State Health Officer and Deputy Secretary La DHH
Henri DeLaunay
St. Thomas More High School | from Lafayette
Louisiana State University Undergrad, University of Houston MBA
VP-Business Development, Harvest Midstream Company
Nate Guidry (posthumous)
La. School for Math Science and Arts | from New Orleans
Louisiana State University
Director, Global Internal Controls Advisory and SOX Compliance, Coupang
(Seoul, South Korea)
“WE LOVE IT, WE LOVE IT, HEY, HEY, WE LOVE IT!”
COMING SOON
DREAM STATE CHALLENGE 🏆
🥉3rd Place: CHOCOLATE BARS
🥈2nd Place: LICORICE
🥇THURSDAY GROUP OF THE DAY: TAFFY
NMIAI NOTEBOOK 🏆
🥉3rd Place: BON BONS
🥈2nd Place: JELLY BEANS
🥇THURSDAY GROUP OF THE DAY: JAWBREAKERS
GROUP OF THE DAY ❤️
🥉3rd Place: LICORICE
🥈2nd Place: CANDY CORN
🥇THURSDAY GROUP OF THE DAY: BUBBLE GUM
NMIAI Notebook:
3rd: bon bons
2nd: jelly beans
1st: jawbreakers
SPOTLIGHT INVOLVEMENT SESSION OF THE DAY: INDIVIDUAL, GROUP AND LEADERSHIP
Since 2005, Sonja has served as the LYS Executive Director. Year after year she invests in the youth of Louisiana and the LYS staff to ensure LYS continues.
Senator John Breaux
2024 Life Achievement Awardee
Tonight, the 2024 Life Achievement Award in Honor of Roddy Richard celebrates Senator John Breaux's distinguished career in the U.S. Congress and his accomplishments since retiring from elected office. Known for his centrist views and ability to bridge party divides, Senator Breaux is also a cherished friend of the Louisiana Youth Seminar (LYS).
“The LYS Life Achievement Award in honor of Roddy Richard recognizes an outstanding individual whose character and purpose in life have lessened the burden of others and made this a better place for their fellow man,” explained LYS Founder Jo Pease. “LYS is proud to present Senator Breaux—a dear friend of the program—with this award.”
Born in Crowley, Louisiana, Senator Breaux graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 1964 and earned his law degree from Louisiana State University in 1967. Elected to the House of Representatives in 1972 at age 28, he later served in the Senate from 1986 until his retirement, holding key committee positions and playing a pivotal role in significant legislative achievements such as the 1996 welfare reform and the Medicare Prescription Drug Modernization Act.
After his Senate career, Senator Breaux became a Distinguished Professor at Louisiana State University and currently serves as a Principal and Director for Crossroads Strategies, focusing on health care and energy advocacy. He has been an active supporter of LYS, encouraging young leaders to get involved and make a difference. His legacy of service and bipartisan leadership continues to inspire new generations, embodying the ideals of "No Man Is An Island."
“Whether it’s his time in the Senate before these students were born or his accomplishments since, Senator Breaux’s work has had a positive ripple effect on these students’ lives. His example of bipartisanship is one they, as future leaders, can emulate,” said LYS Executive Director Dr. Sonja Pruitt-Lord. “LYS is grateful for Senator Breaux’s leadership and service.”
LYS created the Life Achievement Award in honor of Roddy Richard, a LYS staffer whose life was taken in a tragic accident. Every year, LYS presents this award to an individual who captures the same compassion and fervor as Roddy himself.
