Youth Advisory Council gives junior insight on political process
To get involved with local politics and government policy, junior Arshia Narula is in Congressman Taylor’s Youth Advisory Council. “As I continue to participate in the council, I hope to gain more real-world experiences of actively participating in governmental affairs and to have an open mind towards varying viewpoints,” Narula said.
Ever since the start of 2021, countless events and controversial topics have arisen in American society. For many people though, conversations and discussions revolving around politics and debate are normally ignored.
However, junior Arshia Narula has utilized the past year to gain more experience about governmental roles and public policies by joining Congressman Van Taylor’s Congressional Youth Advisory Council.
“As a member of the Congressional Youth Advisory Council, I find it to be an extremely enriching experience wherein I am able to explore my interests in [the] government by learning about public policy and local Collin County issues,” Narula said. “In addition to the interactive learning experience that it provides, I am also able to connect with a group of like-minded high school students while we collectively work with our federal representative, Congressman Van Taylor, and congressional staff to serve our community.”
By offering high schoolers in Texas’ Third Congressional District the opportunity to become a member of the council, students can develop and strengthen their leadership and critical thinking skills while helping their community.
“The Congressional Youth Advisory Council began in 2004 by my predecessor, Congressman Sam Johnson,” Taylor said. “I am honored to carry forth Congressman Johnson’s legacy through the CYAC program and to continue his initiative to help civic-minded students gain an insight on the issues affecting their everyday lives while educating them on government policies.”
There are six meetings during the school year, which provide members firsthand opportunities to learn more about the government and surrounding issues of their county.
“Council members get the opportunity for interactive dialogue with guest speakers about topics they have expressed interest in discussing,” Taylor said.
In fact, members have been given the chance to discuss public matters with not only Congressman Taylor, but also with other United States government officials and delegates.
For Narula that has meant having a round table discussion and Q&A session Taylor, attending his Congressional Veteran Commendation Ceremony, speaking with members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce [about] the current state of the national economy, and learning about other U.S. Representatives in a panel discussion.
“When I came into the council, I had my own formed opinion on the current state of our government and its role in local politics,” Narula said. “However, through this council, I have been exposed to many different opinions and viewpoints that have allowed me to further expand my mindset and beliefs on public policy.”
As she proceeds with her journey with Congressman Taylor, Narula hopes to continue to diligently serve her community by engaging in discussions pertaining to local issues and gaining more knowledge about the government.
“I believe that the overall experience of working with Congressman Van Taylor has
allowed me to be more open-minded and accepting of others’ opinions,” Narula said. “As I continue to participate in the council, I hope to gain more real-world experiences of actively participating in governmental affairs and to have an open mind towards varying viewpoints in order to enrich my understanding of the role of the national government in our lives.”
For Congressman Taylor, programs, such as the Congressional Youth Advisory Council, have allowed him to create and take action in order to support the community as a whole.
“By listening to each other and working together, we can achieve a better America for future generations,” Taylor said. “As a result of listening to constituents across the Third Congressional District, including CYAC students, I have crafted legislation, questioned agencies, and taken many other actions that support our community and seek to hand off a nation to the next generation just as prosperous and free as we inherited.”
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