It is important that our unity goes beyond vengeance to create a formula to secure our future that will maintain, protect, and even build our sense of national pride.

Naturally, this formula includes building elements such as national defense, our just ice system, and our growing economy, but the formula is incomplete without substantially strengthening our education system and we must start in our own state, in our own communities.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once stated that, "the dignity of the individual will flourish when the decisions concerning his life are in his own hands; when he has the assurance that his income is stable and certain, and when he knows that he has the means to seek self improvement." Far too many individuals, young and old, both here and abroad, are not fluorishing and if this is allowed to continue our national pride, our national security, indeed our future will be in danger.

In order for all students to gain the “means to seek self improvement” Dr. King talked about, we must strengthen our education system now. We need new ways to help all students to develop their God-given talents and take their place as members of the World House – another concept of Dr. King. We must provide all students with the opportunity to participate in a variety of stimulating programs and well-equipped, non-traditional learning environments situations such as Youth and Government.

Our education must go beyond academia, simply knowing the facts. Our education must also extend to knowledge of the world and the people in it – their customs, their hopes, their beliefs, their dreams, – in order for us to build and maintain our unity, even when we are not in tragic situations.

Our participation in this program is not in vain. We are an essential part of the formula for the future, and as participants in Youth & Government, we CAN make a difference. What we do here, in our Youth and Government conferences, is a powerful instrument in building our future.

I want to be the Youth Governor who takes our ideas and opinions to elected officials to create more opportunities for our generation and generations to come.

I want to be the Youth Governor who strives to ensure strong education in schools, powerful education about the world, and extensive education about the people in it.

I want to be the Youth Governor who helps elected and appointed officials to search for responsible ways to direct education money to improve test scores and open doors of opportunity, like the ones available to us in this program, for all students.

I want to be the Youth Governor who promotes multi-cultural education throughout the state.

I want to be the Youth Governor who takes a stand for cultural peace and harmony within our schools, our state, our Youth & Government program, our other YMCA programs, and our nation as a whole, and with your vote, I, Courtney Wilkins, can do that as your next Youth Governor.