By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

Students from all over Central Illinois, and locally, Woodland, Pontiac and El Paso-Gridley high schools, recently had the chance to visit Springfield and take part in Senator Jason Barickman’s Youth Advisory Day.

This annual programs takes place in the district during the fall and in Springfield in the spring, and area teachers can nominate students based on their interest in government.

“They are the leaders of tomorrow,” Barickman said. “You hear things about the next generation, and I think that’s who we’re attracting in this program. They’re mostly juniors and seniors. Every year it’s a new group of them. These young leaders have already demonstrated an interest in government. I think they’re taking a step forward and the hope is to whet their appetite a little bit about how our government works. Then they pursue college or beyond. They’ve had this first introduction, hopefully a positive introduction, to our state government.”

Barickman said having the opportunity to engage those young people gives them a chance to learn a little bit about the governmental and legislative process.

Barickman said some of the highlights he thinks the students would speak to is this was an opportunity to meet the governor, a chance to interact with a number of people in state government, from state lawmakers, lobbyists and media and an opportunity to promote their own legislation and they had a chance to lobby in front of one another. Students also had a good discussion about issues facing the state.

“These young leaders have already demonstrated an interest in government,” Barickman said. “I think they’re taking a step forward and the hope is to whet their appetite a little bit about how our government works. Then they pursue college or beyond. They’ve had this first introduction, hopefully a positive introduction, to our state government.”