Teens Are Making Government Fun

Our future is in good hands or at least the Dallas YMCA Youth and Government Conference indicates this! This year’s conference was again hosted by Duncanville High School with 1,150 middle and high school students participating for 14 area YMCAs. These students represented 58 schools from 14 public school districts, private schools and homeschool groups. Over 150 volunteers supported students with logistical support, evaluating mock trial and mock legislature and assisting media students with their reporting. Youth and Government alumni, Suzanne Smith, founder and CEO of Social Impact Architects, served as the keynote speaker inspiring the students to find their inner superhero and serve their community.

 

This year’s conference was led by Texas Officers Youth Lt. Governor, Chris Tian of Plano, Attorney General, JaDarius Jones of Duncanville, Print-Editor-in-Chief, Gloria Ogunlade, also of Duncanville, Chief Justice Amena Tep of Carrollton, Junior Youth Governor, Davis Winn of McKinney, and Junior State Affairs Chair Marenda Ayuhon of Duncanville. During the conference new candidates were elected to run in the State Conferences held in Austin in January for high school and February for middle school. 

 

Throughout the one-day conference, six hundred students debated bills, sixty teams competed in mock trial, two hundred students discussed and passed proposals for solutions to state issues and fifteen students reported on all of the events. In January and February 2019, an estimated 800 students will attend the State High School and Middle School conferences at the Capitol in Austin.

 

Since 1946, Texas Youth and Government has taught teens to become responsible citizens and future leaders of our nation by providing hands-on experience in the mechanics of government and media while delivering quality competition opportunities throughout the year.

 

Whether arguing a case, reporting a story, or proposing a solution, our delegates learn skills for a lifetime. Our goal is to raise the next generation of servant leaders, true statespeople who employ a sense of social responsibility to care for one another and to leave things better than they found them. Our impact studies show our teens are responsible citizens and faithful voters.

 

To view photos and video taken by Youth & Government Media students: 2018 YG District Conference

 

For more information about the Youth & Government program, visit: Texas YMCA Youth & Government