Metcalfe County Middle students sponsor bill at KYA Conference

EDMONTON, Ky. – Five students from Metcalfe County Middle School represented the district at the Kentucky Youth Assembly Conference last week in Louisville.

According to Metcalfe County Schools,  KYA is a statewide mock government event in which students debate bills, lead committees and step into the shoes of Kentucky’s leaders.

MCMS eighth-grade students Jayden Lambert and Jeremiah Pugh sponsored Metcalfe County Middle School Bill CW17, which would have required public schools to offer emergency training, such as CPR, to students in grades six through 12.

“Jeremiah and Jayden stepped up with a vision that empowers young people to respond confidently in moments that matter most,” said KYA Sponsor Brittney Emberton. “Their work is a reminder that when students use their voices, they can help shape a safer future for every school in the Commonwealth. Watching Jayden and Jeremiah step up in front of hundreds of students, prepared to present and defend their bill, brought an incredible sense of pride.”

Lambert and Pugh were joined by Maddie Froehlich (eighth grade), Mallory Wahl (seventh grade) and Matthew Lunz (sixth grade) to serve as Commonwealth Delegates. The district says the students listened to student- sponsored bills from across the state, participated in pro-con debate, technical questioning, an general caucus procedures.

“All of my KYA students represented our school and community phenomenally well. I watched Maddie, Mallory, Matthew, Jayden, and Jeremiah provide clear evidence and reasoning to support and oppose bills, as well as ask and answer tough questions about real-world topics that impact our state. I’m extremely proud of these kids and all they accomplished,” Emberton said.

While Bill CW17 was defeated in the Senate, the district says MCMS was awarded the Premier Delegation Status Award, and Jeremiah Pugh received the Outstanding Delegate Award.