THIS IS WHIGGIE TERRITORY! 🐷 THIS IS TORY TERRITORY! 🐔
WHAT A DAY! With Monday wrapping up, we look back on a day chock-full of exciting activity for our delegates.
We kicked off our morning with Communication Connection. Staffer Jake Mathis led delegates through various activities to help the them sharpen their communication skills 📢 and effectively communicate as a group. We hope that the skills learned during this session will benefit the delegates not only during the week at LYS, but also in everyday life.
The delegation also participated in their first involvement session today (see below to learn about involvement sessions).
This evening is also Skit Night! Each group incorporates their color, mascot, symbol and theme to make up a fun-filled night! 🎭 “We are proud of you- say we are proud of you!”
POLITICAL PARTY KICKOFF
COMMUNICATION CONNECTION
Mayor-President Monique Blanco Boulet as our featured speaker for the 2025 Political Party Kickoff! Mayor President Boulet made history as the first female Mayor-President of Lafayette Parish. A lifelong leader and bridge-builder, she’s known for working across party lines to deliver results that make a real difference in people’s lives—from improving roads and broadband access to preparing communities for the future.
“Be sure in your path in your experience and your perspective but be prepared to work with others because diversity of experience gives better solutions.” - MAYOR PRESIDENT MONIQUE BLANCO BOULET
SPOTLIGHT INVOLVEMENT SESSION OF THE DAY:
FEELINGS THROUGH MUSIC
Spotlight Involvement session of the day: Feelings Through Music! , led by staffer Troy Meredith, is the most relaxing and reflective session of the week. This allows delegates to channel their emotions while listening to handpicked inspiring songs 🎶 and expressing themselves through art 🎨.
In the middle of the high intensity energy of the week, it is certainly a great time to step back and reflect. The delegates are also encouraged to apply this helpful exercise of reflection and expression to their lives when they return home.
We kicked off the LYS Political Party Process this morning which begs the question, pigs or chickens? The LYS political system has two parties, the Whig Party (🐷) and the Tory Party (🐔). As each of the delegates arrived at LYS they were assigned to one of our two political parties. During LYS, delegates will be encouraged to embrace the importance of our freedom of speech and our duty as citizens to participate in the political process by voting. Delegates will have the opportunity to run for office in their respective political party. By giving speeches, voting and participating in a caucus filled with strategy and a whole lot of fun, delegates get a complete look at the political process. We’ll be sure to give you updates!
Whig PArty 🐷
Chair: Leigh Ann Lutgring + Assistant: Deporres Taplette
TORY PARTY 🐔
Chair: Mann Boughton + Assistant: Keagan Davis
Kaitlyn Bradford Joshua, the 2025 No Man Is An Island Award recipient, is a dynamic community organizer, environmental justice advocate, and faith-based leader working at the intersection of policy, equity, and people. Kaitlyn attended LYS as a delegate in 2008 and 2009 from Woodlawn High School in Baton Rouge.
