Arnold student testifies before legislative committee

Delaney Rogers, a junior at Arnold High School, attended RYLA at the 4-H Camps in Halsey last summer. She tested before a legislative committee in February on a bill to help rebuild the camp.

- Delaney Rogers, a 17-year-old Arnold High School junior, testified at the Nebraska Legislature in support of the Halsey 4-H Bill on Feb. 15 in Lincoln.

The number of the bill Delaney testified in support of is LB281. If passed, LB281 would grant a one-time transfer of $50 million from the State’s General Fund to the Department of Economic Development to help rebuild the 4-H camp lost in the Bovee Fire this past fall.

Delaney said Halsey is particularly important to her because it “holds a lot of sentimental value.” She has taken numerous leadership classes and participated in several 4-H camps. Delaney also took part in RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) on a ten-day trip in July. She holds Halsey very dearly. She even considers Halsey, “a home away from home.”

Delaney’s teacher, Nicole Badgley, said, “The next day (after the fire), she came to me, and said, ‘What can we do?’” Delaney immediately started to organize “Halsey Strong,” a business dedicated to helping fund the rebuilding. It closed last December; however, after a lot of feedback, they would like to reopen soon.

Rogers learned about LB281 from her father who read about it in a local newspaper in a column by State Senator Tom Brewer. Badgley said, “Delany started calling everyone she could about testifying. She did not know if they would let her because she is only 17.”

Delaney takes part in her school’s speech team, but other than that, she had no prior experience at speaking. Delaney said she was the last to speak on the bill’s behalf and received much feedback. While she was listening to everyone before her, she said she was getting nervous as she thought hers would be the least important speech they would hear.

Badgley said, “It is important for kids to have a voice. Teenagers need to know adults will listen to what they have to say.”

Delaney said she was asked when rebuilding or changing Halsey if young people should be included in not only the rebuilding but also some of the decisions. She said, “Of course, because the kids will be the ones to spend their time there, so it would make the most sense.” She added, “It is neat that I can have an impact on something that is so important.”