New vs. Experienced Judicial Delegates

By: Lily Suttner

Two Judicial delegates were asked the same four questions, one delegate who has been in the Judicial branch for more than one year, Haley Bengston and another delegate who is just now experiencing her first year, Marley Sabourin. Even though these two delegates are in different years of participation in Supreme Court, they both had very similar responses to each question interviewed. The first question that was asked what they are nervous for when participating in Supreme Court, the second question that was asked was, how are they preparing for what they will have to be doing and partaking in. The next question that was asked was, if they are wanting to continue to partake in Supreme Court or if they want to branch out and take on another passion through the Youth in Government program. And finally, the last question that was asked was, what is your greatest inspiration; to get an understanding of what is encouraging them to be a part of this program and most importantly what is influencing them to be a part of the Judicial branch. 

The first delegate that was interviewed was Haley Bengston, a senior in high school who has been in the program for more than one year. When Haley Bengston was asked the first question of “what she is nervous for this year’s participation in Supreme Court”. Delegate Bengston responded by talking about how much she is nervous about presenting her court case, arguing for her court case, and having to do JRC. JRC is where Supreme Court delegates look at a passed bill for the prior year and put a scenario that goes along with that bill, while they argue that specific scenario. Delegate Bengston feels a little nervous for that coming up. Haley Bengston was then asked, “how she is preparing for what she will be partaking in”, and she responded with sharing her methods that help her relax like taking grounding breaths, as well as saying “whatever happens, happens and I don’t want to change it” this shows delegate Bengston is prepared for anything and is well rounded. Haley Bengston was asked “whether she is going to continue to participate in the Judicial branch”, and although she stated she is a senior in high school, and it is her last year in Youth in Government, delegate Bengston said if she had another year she would want to campaign for a position, and wish she had that extra year. The last question that delegate Bengston answered, “what is your greatest inspiration?” Haley Bengston responded with what she calls “the ideal version of me” basically explaining that that is what a bundle of many people she has met, all in one. This goes to show how much impact a person can impact another person’s life with the decisions they make, with the thoughts that they share, and with the ideas that they spread.

The second delegate that was interviewed and asked the same exact questions was, Marley Sabourin, a first-year delegate in the Judicial branch and a junior in high school. The first question was asked: “what she is most nervous for?” She responded with oral argument, and making sure they have a good case, as well as she stated “I’m pretty confident” expressing her confidence with her preparations. She was then asked: “how she is preparing for this year’s Model Government”, and she responded by saying how much she’s been going over everything, as well as she is going to “fake it till I make it” also showing her well-presented confidence. Delegate Sabourin, was then asked: “if she wants to continue her journey with her involvement in the Judicial branch”. She has stated that she definitely wants to continue Youth in Government but doesn’t know if she wants to stay in Judicial office. Marley Sabourin has expressed that “it’s been really fun” but she also wants to try some new things by talking with more people from different branches to see more. The last question she was asked was: “what is her biggest inspiration” which she responded with saying her mom, friends, and all of the people who have shaped her life, to mold her to who she is now.