Day: June 22, 2026

When Trevor first joined Youth & Government as a freshman, speaking up did not come naturally. 

“I was really timid most of my first year,” Trevor recalls. 

At meetings and conferences, he often stayed quiet, unsure of himself and hesitant to speak in front of others. But he kept showing up. 

Year after year, Trevor found something at the Y that extended beyond leadership training and civic engagement. He found a community. 

“I don’t really have that many friends,” he says. “Youth & Government gave me a community, which was nice.”

Surrounded by peers who encouraged him and mentors who believed in him, Trevor slowly began to grow in confidence. He learned how to research complex issues, speak publicly, and defend his ideas. What once felt intimidating became an opportunity. 

Eventually, he found the courage to do something he never imagined when he first walked through the doors of the Teen Center.

He wrote a bill. The inspiration came from a deeply personal place.

In May 2025, Trevor’s brother passed away from an accidental overdose after mistakenly taking the wrong medication. As Trevor processed his grief, he began thinking about how similar tragedies could be prevented. 

“I was already thinking about it a lot, so I might as well write a bill about it,” Trevor explains. 

When the annual YMCA Youth Legislature came around this year, he presented his bill. His proposal would require color-coded prescription bottle caps to help people more easily identify different medications. Trevor also expanded the idea to include accommodations for individuals with color blindness, ensuring the solution would be accessible to more people. 

What began as a Youth Legislature bill quickly became something more. Trevor had the opportunity to present his bill to Washington State Senator John Lovick. Today, conversations are underway about the feasibility of advancing legislation inspired by Trevor’s proposal. 

For Trevor, the experience has been about more than policy. It has been about finding his voice. 

“I guess, in some way, I did it for myself,” he reflects.

The same teen who once struggled to speak during meetings now confidently presents ideas, debates legislation, and advocates for change. 

His future is bright. Trevor graduated from Henry M. Jackson High School this year and plans to attend Western Washington University to study urban planning. 

Trevor’s story is a reminder of what happens when young people are given the opportunity to participate in programs like Youth & Government.