On October 10th seniors Rylie Conley, Jack Heffernan, and Whitney Sulser traveled to Rend Lake College to meet with Illinois State Senator of the 58th district, Terri Bryant, and participate in a Youth Advisory Council. While attending the event they listened to speakers Terri Bryant, David Friess, State Representative of the 116th district, Fisher Overstreet, Jefferson County Board Member, Judge Barry Vaughan, Appellate Court Judge, Katie Main, District Director for Congressman Mike Bost, and Ryan Litteken, Meridian CFO. These speakers gave powerful insights on their perspectives and the functions of government from different occupations. Following a short lunch break the students in attendance were split into six groups and they then discussed and came up with a bill to present to the other groups as well as the Senator. After the presentation everyone was able to vote on the bill that they thought was the strongest, and that will then be used in the spring as the same students are invited to the Capitol Building in Springfield to hold a mock legislature and vote on the proposed bill.