North Andover teen Paul DiBlasi was recently elected governor of Massachusetts, but he won't be working on his Mitt Romney hairdo or installing new drapes in his Statehouse office anytime soon.
DiBlasi is governor-elect of the YMCA's Youth and Government program, a mock-government club in which high-schoolers write bills, lobby, and participate in what goes on every day at the Statehouse.
DiBlasi is one of 24 members of the Youth and Government club based at the North Andover/Andover YMCA, and was elected governor by teens in the more than 200 clubs from all over the state.
Members of the local club agree that the program is as much about making friends and meeting teens from other schools as it is about learning how government works.
"I have met some of my best friends through this program," said Alyssa DiBlasi, sister of the governor-elect.
The Merrimack Valley YMCA's YAG club, as they call themselves, is one of the bigger clubs in the state, but members say it is "like a family."
"It's such a welcoming environment," agreed Benjamin Corman, a North Andover teen.
The club meets once a week through the school year to write bills and work on projects, culminating in a statewide legislative conference at the Statehouse in Boston in the spring. At the conference, students from around the state present their legislative agenda and bills during a mock legislature and meet elected officials — guest speaker this year was Treasurer Tim Cahill — and participate in social activities.
DiBlasi was elected governor and other club members received awards for bills and leadership.
The YAG club's 24 members are from several towns, including Andover, North Andover, Boxford and Lawrence and are students at North Andover High School, St. John's Prep and other schools around the area.
"We are a very diverse group, in every sense of the word," said Jonathan Mojica, a member from Lawrence.
Youth and Government is a nationwide program of the YMCA, and participants work either as delegates in the legislative, judicial or executive branches of government or as members of the press corps. A handful of middle school students participate as pages and program alumni can participate as college staff.
North Andover eighth-grader Dan Gottfried was one of three middle school pages in the Massachusetts program this year.
Throughout the year, participants design, research and submit bills on subjects they're passionate about, said Greg MacPhee, a North Andover High School senior. Delegates build support for their bills by speaking in front of the program's House or Senate and by lobbying other delegates, who eventually vote to pass — or bury in committee — each bill. The governor also has veto power.
"In the end, we're all really proud of the hard work we've put in," said Mojica.
This year, MacPhee worked on a bill to ban shock therapy for the mentally ill, which was passed, he said.
Matthew Dowgiallo, a club member from Andover, worked on a bill to ban roadside billboards in Massachusetts.
"I'm a new driver, and I've already been distracted (by billboards)," he said.
Besides the democratic process, club members say they've learned lessons in teamwork and public speaking.
"It really gets kids to break out of their shells. Everyone comes out a different person, for the better," said DiBlasi, who has been in the club for five years. "Presenting bills to kids from all over the state with different backgrounds is a really eye-opening experience."
"If you're not good at public speaking, you will be by the end," said MacPhee.
MacPhee and Kathy Burton were recognized with a distinguished leadership award this year for their efforts as co-chairmen of the program's outreach committee. The duo organized campaigns to raise money for the victims of the Jan. 21 Market and Parker streets fire in Lawrence, gather supplies for care packages to troops in Iraq and organize delegates from YAG clubs statewide to participate in the Walk for Hunger in Boston on May 4.
"What you put in to this, you'll get out," said DiBlasi. "Once you get in to it, you'll really embrace it."
DiBlasi is already making plans for his tenure as governor next year. He hopes to have at least 100 more delegates state-wide join the program next year, as well as decrease the entry fees associated with joining the YAG program, he said.
"You have to have lofty goals," he said of his gubernatorial plans.
Several members of the Merrimack Valley club said they joined not because they're interested in government, but because of the social aspect of the program, and now would consider running for office someday.
The Merrimack Valley YMCA's youth and government program is open to any high school-aged teen from Massachusetts.
Although interest in government is not required, participants should be friendly, open and willing to take risks, said MacPhee.
Want to know more?
r Visit www.maymcayag.org
r To join, contact the YMCA at 978-685-3541
r Barbara Gallagher, senior director of youth and family services and Jake Munyon, director of teen services at the YMCA serve as the club's advisors
r The club is also looking for financial help to send members to the national affairs and governor's conferences this summer. To donate, contact Barbara Gallagher at the YMCA, 978-685-3541
Meet the future politicians
Members of the Merrimack Valley YMCA's Youth and Government club were recognized recently at the statewide youth and government legislative conference, held at the Statehouse in Boston in March:
Paul DiBlasi of North Andover was elected youth governor for next year; he also was named outstanding senator. He will be attending the program's governors conference, held in Washington D.C. in June
Matt Dowgiallo of Andover ran for lieutenant governor, but was not elected
Jon Mojica, Greg MacPhee and Matt Dowgiallo were selected to go to the Council on National Affairs conference this June, held in North Carolina. The trio will join youth and government delegates from all over the country for the conference
Kathy Burton and Greg MacPhee were recognized with a distinguished leadership award this year for their efforts as co-chairs of the program's outreach committee. The duo organized campaigns to raise funds for the victims of the Jan. 21 Market and Parker streets neighborhood fire in Lawrence, gather supplies for care packages to troops in Iraq and organize delegates from YAG clubs state-wide to participate in the Walk for Hunger in Boston on May 4
Paul DiBlasi, Desiree Bencosme, Katie LaBatte, Danny Pugliares, Kathy Burton, Greg MacPhee and Ben Corman occupied seven senate seats in the program
Jon Mojica won the outstanding bill award
Matt Dowgiallo, Chris Newsome and Minerva Rivas served as part of the governor's cabinet
