BY KARISSA MILLER
North Iredell High School sophomore Isabella DiFiore has been selected to participate in the upcoming North Carolina Youth Legislative Assembly (YLA).
“It’s an honor to be selected,” DiFiore said. “By attending the North Carolina Youth Legislative Assembly, I hope to get a better understanding of how our state government works and how it affects people’s everyday lives.”
DiFiore said she’s especially excited about serving on the General Government Committee and working with a government official during the March 7-9 assembly.
“I think it’ll be a great chance to share my thoughts on the bill we’re discussing and to make meaningful connections,” she explained.
While the experience will be new for DiFiore, she has practice with public speaking as she advocates for children each year through her nonprofit, Bella’s Backpacks, which provides resources for abused children who are served by the Dove House Children’s Advocacy Center in Statesville.
To date, there have been nearly 800 backpacks given to children through the program.
“I’m also really interested in learning more about legislation focused on child abuse awareness and prevention, which is something I care about deeply and believe could have a big impact on families in North Carolina,” DiFiore explained.
This selection places DiFiore among a distinguished group of students from across the state recognized for their leadership potential, academic excellence, and keen interest in the legislative process.
Youth Legislative Assembly is a program designed to simulate the state’s legislative process, which provides high school students with a unique opportunity to engage directly in the process.
DiFiore will have a chance to participate in a mock legislative session, where she will debate and vote on bills the leadership team has written.
The initiative aims to educate young leaders on the workings of local, state, and national government and the intricacies of lawmaking in an effort to foster a new generation of informed citizens and potential policymakers.