Youth and Government
Neil Malakar
Youth and Government is one of the many extra-curricular activities offered by Homer High School and it focuses on politics and law. Y&G is unique because of the opportunities that it presents to students and its value as a medium of expression that allows them to discover new interests and expand their horizons.
First of all, the structure of the club mimics that of the state government’s Judicial and Legislative branches. Those who choose to join the Legislative Branch draft “bills” on a topic of their choosing that they will learn the ins and outs of and be able to defend. They will get to present these bills at the New York State Conference in March. Those who join the Judicial Branch are given a criminal case, and they will act as attorneys on one side of the dispute and present their formal case at the conference mentioned above. Each group has its own unique benefits and idiosyncrasies, but the beauty in each can only be determined by its beholder.
The New York State Youth and Government Conference is held every year in March at the Desmond Hotel in Albany. It is a truly awe-inspiring experience, as it gives an idea of the grand scope of this nationwide organization through the number and diversity of the other young people there. The conference is also where one presents the bill or case that one spent the last few months perfecting and rehearsing. These orations actually take place in the State Capitol building, in the courtrooms and assembly rooms that are used by state officials.
Homer’s Y&G group meets on Thursday nights at 7:00- 8:30 at the Cortland YMCA. Even if you are only slightly interested in what the club has to offer, why not stay for a bit and see what goes on? It will definitely be worth your time.
