Inauguration ceremony held for 35th Guam Youth Congress

Members of the 35th Guam Youth Congress have officially sworn in.

Their inauguration ceremony was held Saturday inside the session hall at the Guam Congress building in Hagatna.

Senator Amanda Shelton offered them some advice from her experience in serving as an elected official.

“By choosing to run for elective office and winning, you have made a commitment to serve. The oath you will take this morning is only about 60 words in length and will take under a minute to administer. But the commitment is one that will last the entirety of this body,” said Sen. Amanda Shelton. 

The Guam Youth Congress  is a legislative body with the power to make its own rules, establish committees, hold hearings, pass resolutions and to prepare and pass bills.

The members represent the youth of Guam, their desires and aspirations, and serve as a training and action area for Guam's future leaders.

“The job description is public servant and as public servants you represent and are obligated to work for everyone who belongs to your constituency. This includes not only those who voted for you and not favorite causes but any constituent who reaches out to you, whether for help or to share an opinion and whether you agree with them or not. No matter how you may feel personally, you are obligated to listen,” said Shelton. 

The GYC’s first official session also had members voting on leadership roles.

John F. Kennedy High School’s Rachel Cho will serve as Speaker.

She previously served as Vice Speaker. 

Cho, who has been outspoken whenever issues involving her school arise, thanked her colleagues, friends and teachers. 

“I believe that everything happens for a reason in conjunction with God’s greater plan. No matter good or bad, there is always a lesson to learn. And trust me, I should know better than most. In my short 17 years of trial and error, I’ve come to realize that even though fate may be out of our hands there are aspects of our lives where choices and actions make all the difference. It is in these moments where we take charge, that we shape out paths and create opportunities for growth and change,” said Cho. 

Cho also reminded the members that leadership is about service and not power.

“Let’s bridge divides, inspire hope and build a brighter future rooted in the spirit of inafa maolek working in harmony for the good of our island,” added Cho. 

Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio, Presiding Judge Alberto Lamorena, senators, mayors and senator-elects also attended the inauguration.