by Amanda Krysinski

The Conference of Young Alaskans commenced last night in Fairbanks, Alaska. The conference, set to mimic the Alaska Constitutional Convention of 1955, will be held over the next three days. Fifty-five young Alaskans, ranging from the ages of 14-25 are acting as delegates, tackling five different issues that pertain to the state and its future.   These topics; education, natural resources, communities and families, leadership and the "Alaska dream," will guide the delegates as they build a future for Alaska.

The process began on Friday night with opening remarks from Jim Whitaker, mayor of the Fairbanks North Star Borough and Lieutenant Governor Loren Leman. Katie Hurley, chief clerk of the original Alaska Constitutional Convention, and Victor Fischer, an original delegate, spoke regarding the responsibilities and possible effects the delegates may have. Hurley says she's excited to witness this conference.

"It really starts in their communities, to get more people to realize that you can make a difference."

Over the coming weekend, the COYA delegates will brainstorm, refine and vote on future actions. COYA delegate Tamia Webster says delegates of today are Alaska's future leaders.

"These faces that are sitting around the table coming up with goals and solutions now- these will be the ones who are going to be taking Stevens' and Murkowski's and Betty David, all their spots. We're the future, period, no matter how you all like us."

Today's activities featured a welcome by Chancellor Steve Jones of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, followed by an address by Steering Committee Chair, Ian Hebert. The keynote address speaker was University of Alaska President, Mark Hamilton. Following a lecture on the conference process by facilitator Brian Rogers, the delegates were split into the five focus groups to brainstorm areas that need to be considered as well as set goals for the conference.

This afternoon, the delegates will reconvene to discuss and reflect the brainstormed areas and vote upon their importance and relevance to the conference.