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Juneau Based YES Students Meet Governor

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Living in the capitol of Alaska affords easy opportunities to interact with state officials. In February, three YES students, Hadi Kanj from Lebanon, Ayah Tafesh from Gaza, and Mohammad Qabani from Israel Arab Communities, who are all studying in Juneau, met with two state representatives and the senator. They also attended a session of the legislature where an amendment to the education budget was discussed. "Although they listened to six excellent speeches in support of additional funding, the students were quite surprised when the additional funding amendment failed on a 9 to 27 vote, " says AYUSA Local Coordinator.

In Gov. Sean Parnell's office each student introduced him or herself and told the governor how they came to be studying in Juneau. He asked each student about his or her experience in Alaska. This opportunity taught the students that all citizens have the right to engage their elected officials.


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