YIG Goes Digital by Kristina Herrera, Francis Howell Central

Youth in Government, as with anything, changes with the times. As YIG has increased in popularity we have modified, and split into two conventions. Yet, YIG continues to change. Our generation has become increasingly dependant on our access to the Internet. We rely on a constant stream of Facebook notifications, and updates from our favorite blogs, among other technologies to keep us happy, and the YIGsters have responded accordingly.
This year, The Print Press is introducing an online version of the paper. This online paper is going to be published on the popular blogging site, Blogger. (Moyigprintnews.blogspot.com). Each day, print press will update its blog with various topics of interest relating to the convention.
YIG candidates have also appealed to the interests of teenagers this year. If you visit the MO YIG Facebook group, the wall is filled with several candidates’ plugs for their own Facebook groups. Candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker of the House have created the groups to get the word out about their candidacies. Since the primary conventions were held differently this year, and candidates could not campaign, they lost valuable time in which they could sell their platforms to YIGsters before this weekend’s convention.
“I made a Facebook group because I know a lot of people use Facebook as a social networking tool,” Governor candidate Brad DiMariano explains, “I figured that if I could get my name out to various delegations before the election, they would know beforehand who I am and what I stand for.”
Brad is not alone in this. Another Governor candidate, Weston Hichcock, from the Mexico delegation also made a Facebook group. In it, he outlines his viewpoints on education, crime, energy, and healthcare.
These students have utilized America’s most popular social networking site to promote their candidacy and show their love of YIG. Print Press is no longer technically just in “print”. They have taken the written word online.
YIGsters have adapted to the changes in our convention and used a previously untouched resource in YIG elections and coverage; the Internet. YIG is evolving with the times, and has officially entered the digital age.