#YAGSWAG

Ali Jenkins

The first weekend in March, Homer students involved in the Youth and Government program traveled to Albany for the annual Spring Conference. This mock government program for high schoolers gives students the opportunities to meet students from across the state, hone their public speaking skills, and explore various branches of our government.

Students involved in state leadership arrived at the Desmond Hotel on Thursday, a day before the full conference began. These students included Devon Drake, who was a justice, Erik Gustafson, Secretary of State for the Executive Cabinet, Ali Jenkins, Commissioner of Agriculture for the Executive Cabinet, and Gail VanValkenburg, who served as a committee chair. These individuals went through leadership training and preparation for the conference. The remainder of the club arrived on Friday. Students used this time to run through their judicial cases or meet with committees to discuss and rank legislative bills. At the end of the night, members of the legislative branch met in a general assembly to debate the highest-ranked bills. The night ended with the formal Governor’s Ball.

On Saturday, students boarded the buses and headed to the capitol building. After the Governor’s opening press conference, members of the judicial branch presented their cases in hearing rooms. Arguing their positions, these students attempted to convince the panels of justices to side with their clients. Meanwhile, the legislative members broke into their respective chambers—Senate, Assembly Freedom, and Assembly Liberty. Presenting their researched bills and debating on other students’ ideas, these individuals had the opportunity to experience lawmaking in action and to practice parliamentary procedure. Any bills that were passed in chambers and were signed by the youth governor will be debated by our New York State legislators, and can possibly become law. In fact, there are more than seventy current laws than began as Youth and Government bills! Press members snapped pictures and interviewed delegates for their articles. Throughout the day, students partook in the activities of their chosen branches, improving their critical thinking and public speaking skills. The day ended with an informal dance back at the Desmond Hotel.

Sunday’s agenda included a final session at the capitol, as well as a closing banquet ceremony. New presiding officers were inducted into office, and awards were presented to certain individuals. Homer students received much recognition at the closing banquet. The bill presented by Liam George, Erik Gustafson, Josh Sands, and Aysia Smith, which proposed the re-enfranchisement of convicted felons, was nominated for Best Bill in the Senate. Additionally, Ali Jenkins was nominated for and won Best Debater in the Senate, and Jared LoGurfo was nominated for Best Debater in Assembly Liberty. The program also recognized twenty delegates and twenty alternates from the state conference to attend the Conference on National Affairs (CONA), held in North Carolina. These students will attend a training conference at the Desmond in April to prepare for the week-long national conference, held in early July. From Homer, Erik Gustafson was chosen as an alternate, and Ali Jenkins was chosen to attend the conference as a NY representative. Finally, Homer’s district was honored with a District Exemplar award, a title that recognizes outstanding groups for their behavior, participation, and resect.

A special thanks to Mrs. Janine Giordano and Mrs. Chris Buttino, the advisors for Homer YAG students! These individuals offered the students incredible guidance, support, and encouragement throughout the year, making it possible for them to succeed. Congratulations to all students who took part in this challenging and rewarding program!