The Youth and Government Club attended the NJ YAG Conference on April 12-14 at the Hilton East Brunswick Hotel. The YMCA's New Jersey Youth and Government has been educating students in civic engagement and public speaking since its inception in 1938. The program culminates every year in a three-day legislative simulation that offers student-delegates the opportunity to debate pertinent state issues, engage in servant leadership, and most importantly, forge lifelong relationships.
SHS's YAG had another fantastic season with a multitude of awards listed below:
SHS YAG has been awarded for their successful completion of the Delegation Challenge, winning a special golden gavel! Special shout-out to Junior's Spiro Tsilimidos and Sophia Di Lello as the role of Delegation Coordinators. Spiro and Sophia kept the delegates up to date with assigned tasks.
Madeline Senate, Junior, was awarded to be an Alternate at for the annual YMCA Conference on National Affairs this summer.
James Meister, Junior, campaigned for Youth Governor requiring speeches and press conferences in the audience of 400 delegates voters. James was one of six candidates for the position, successfully reaching the top three. James has been re-elected as officer and will be joining Madeline this summer at the Conference On National Affairs.
James Meister will be joining Haruto Takayama, Sophomore, who will be going to the Conference On National Affairs this summer as well through Model UN (he won this back in January). This may be the first time that two Somerville students are going to the national conference!
Special thank you to advisor Mrs. Melanie McWilliams for her flexibility and diligence in getting YAG to the conference this year. This could not have been done without her!
Congratulations, SHS YAG!