On September 8, 2022, the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education (MBRT) held its third annual Youth Congress Day at Goucher College where more than 90 students from high schools across Maryland learned the facts about voting, took a virtual tour of Maryland’s State Capitol and advocated for policy changes on issues that matter to them. This was MBRT’s first in-person Youth Congress Day since 2020.
For the first time, MBRT partnered with Goucher College, which is recognized as an ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge gold seal winner for its commitment to increasing college student voting rates and had a 74% student participation rate in the 2020 elections.
“Civic engagement is a cornerstone to our democracy, and now more than ever it’s critical for our youth to learn about the legislative process and be inspired to become active citizens in their communities,” said Brian Dulay, executive director of MBRT. “The goal for our 2022 Youth Congress Day was for students to return to their homes and schools knowing their voice matters and learn how they can amplify it to make it count, especially in an election year.”
The day kicked off with MBRT Student Ambassadors and members of Goucher’s award-winning student-led Voter Mobilization Team teaching high school students the facts about voting. Using the curriculum from Rock the Vote, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to building the political power of young people, Youth Congress Day participants focused on dispelling common voting myths, understanding the effects of voter misinformation, and learning how to register to vote. Eligible students from Baltimore City and Allegany, Caroline, Dorchester, Howard, Kent, Prince George’s, and Wicomico counties were also able to register on-site.
Following the focus on voting, a representative from the Maryland Visitors Bureau led students on a virtual tour of Maryland’s State Capitol, which is currently under renovation, and provided an overview of the legislative process. Students also learned how to get involved through the student page program, internships and scholarships.
Youth Congress Day continued with discussions on policy topics of interest led by MBRT’s Student Ambassadors. Issues included the representation of women and minorities in STEM, changing the voting age to 16, mental health, and the costs and accessibility of higher education. Later that afternoon, students presented their position on the topics discussed and made a call to action on each issue during MBRT’s Annual Meeting in Goucher’s Ungar Athenaeum in front of Maryland employers, educators and those running for office, including Republican lieutenant gubernatorial candidate Gordana Schifanelli.
- BALTIMORE CITY
“I thought this would be a cool experience because I’ve been in the youth ambassador program at North Avenue where we learn how to get out of our comfort zone and use our voice as a young person around our neighborhood and community,” said Chloe Crizer, a senior at Benjamin Franklin High School in Baltimore City. “Even if you feel like you’re too young, you can still make a change because your voice always matters.” - WICOMICO COUNTY
“As a senior, I am 17 and about to be 18, so I will be able to vote for the next election. Coming today was just a way for me to figure out and learn the importance of letting my voice be heard,” said Jenna Daemeus, a senior at Wicomico High School and MBRT Student Ambassador. “I was able to lead a breakout room where we discussed the topic of higher education, and the majority of students in the group want to pursue a higher education but are just rocky on how to get there.” - DORCHESTER COUNTY
“Every year Youth Congress Day is a great experience, and I learn more with every event I attend,” said Rip Cornish, a senior at Cambridge-South Dorchester High School and MBRT Student Ambassador. “The breakout rooms really made you think and question how we can improve society and ourselves going forward.” - CAROLINE COUNTY
“I’ve been passionate about politics and local change for a few years now and it’s very important for me to come to Youth Congress Day to help others learn how to vote and how to make a change,” said Shelbi Briggs, a senior at Colonel Richardson High School and MBRT Student Ambassador. “My favorite part of the day was learning about the minorities who stepped into roles in the Maryland General Assembly and really helped make a change and set the path for other people to step into these roles.” - KENT COUNTY
“It was important for me to be here today to hear all the opinions of my peers who I usually only communicate with via social media,” said Amaya Barrett, a junior at Kent County High School and MBRT Student Ambassador. “We heard how people feel about the government and what important problems could be addressed like gun violence happening in America,” added Jaeda Hoxter, a junior at Kent County High School and MBRT Student Ambassador. - HOWARD COUNTY
“I really wanted to come to Youth Congress Day because I knew people who could make a difference in our community and our state would attend and I wanted a chance to get our ideas out and speak to them because young people aren’t always represented in policymakers’ decisions,” said Nandini Wagle, a junior at Centennial High School and MBRT Student Ambassador.
“I’ve never been to an event like Youth Congress Day, and I learned a lot about voting and the myths about voting,” added Hamid Shabbir, a senior at Mount Hebron High School and MBRT Student Ambassador. “It was really surprising to learn how many people don’t actually vote and how our voices in local government are just as important as in presidential elections.”
“I really enjoyed leading a breakout room where we discussed minority representation in STEM,” said Gianna Athavale, a senior at Mount Hebron High School and MBRT Student Ambassador. “It’s a topic I’m really passionate about and it was really cool to see so many students as passionate about it as I am.” - PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
“It was so important to come to Youth Congress Day this year to spread the voices of the voiceless,” said Jehan Idsassi, a junior at Eleanor Roosevelt High School and MBRT Student Ambassador. “When youth come together and we raise awareness on topics we’re passionate about such as mental health, it gives us a better perspective about how we can help support our youth through laws and regulations to make sure our society is a civil, just and equal place.” - ALLEGANY COUNTY
“Youth Congress Day gave me the chance to meet a lot of new people and not only hear about what’s happening in their communities and schools, but also share what’s going on in Allegany County,” said Alexis Heavner, a junior at Fort Hill High School. “My favorite part was the mental health breakout discussion because I heard from students at another school that had a shooting and I could really connect to that experience since we lost Saiquan Jenkins last year. It’s important that we all come together to share our stories and communicate with each other about shared experiences.”
Learn more about the day by reviewing a recap of Youth Congress Day and MBRT’s Annual Meeting. 
