Youth & Government

YMCA Texas Youth & Government is a statewide civic education and leadership development institute in which YMCAs, schools, and community organizations involve students in hands-on learning experiences. YMCA Youth and Government allows middle and high school students to experience the excitement of our state government in action.

Students meet regularly as a club during the fall semester. Each club consists of participating students and an adult sponsor (usually a teacher) and is guided by YMCA staff and volunteers. Students choose to participate in one of four areas: legislative, judicial, media, or state affairs forum.

Area clubs begin meeting during the fall school semester. In November, clubs compete at District Conference, and the top individuals and teams advance to participate in the State Conference in January.

Motto: Democracy must be learned by each generation. -- Benjamin Franklin

Youth & Government Video

Conference on National Affairs (CONA) Delegates

Riley Brown, Austin High
Chase Dean, Hays YMCA
Addison Denslow, Springs YMCA
Makayla Goertz, Bastrop YMCA

National Judicial Conference Representatives

Hyde Park Judicial District Court Team
Kyle Barton, Ben Rinke, Dalton Schiller, Luke Hampton

Del Valle High School Appeals Court Team
Angel Cruz and Jacob Shaw

2013 State Conference: Awards

Distinguished Delegates:

Makayla Goertz, Bastrop YMCA (State Affairs)
Robyn Clapper, Akins High School (Model UN)

Hyde Park Judicial District Court Team --
Kyle Barton, Ben Rinke, Dalton Schiller, Luke Hampton

Del Valle High School Appeals Court Team --
Angel Cruz and Jacob Shaw

Premier Delegations:

Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders
Austin High School
Bastrop YMCA Club
Dripping Springs YMCA Club
Hays YMCA Club
LASA High School
TownLake YMCA Club
Kennedy High School (San Antonio)
Miller High School (Corpus Christi)
Moody High School (Corpus Christi)

Examples of bills filed by Texas Youth Senators

2012 District Conference: Awards

Golden Gavel -- newspaper

Top Appeals Team
Jacob Shaw & Angel Cruz-Sanchez, Del Valle High School

Top Judicial Judge
Lila Weatherly, Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders

Top Two Judicial Teams
Hyde Park Baptist High School
Kyle Barton, Ben Rinke, Dax Benkendorfer, Luke Hampton, Dalton Schiller

YMCA of San Antonio
Aaron Davalos, Tomas Garcia, Amber Gonzales, Daphne Barrera, Samantha De La Rosa, Stephanie Zamora, Branda Nicole Cortez

Legislative -- Distinguished Delegates
Erin Willard, Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders
Riley Brown, Austin High School
Alex Slider, Austin High School
Addison Denslow, Dripping Springs YMCA

Bills Passed by Student Legislature
Jailyn Bankston, Ann Richards
Gus Dexheimer, Ann Richards
Haley Goertz, Bastop YMCA
Patrick Malone, Hays YMCA
Angelique Price, Ann Richards

Media -- Distinguished Delegates
Faith Elving, Dripping Springs
Meredith Oldham, Ann Richards

State Affairs -- Distinguished Delegates
Chase Dean, Ethan Matthews, Andrea Forsberg – Hays YMCA

Junior Youth and Government – Legislative
Distinguished Delegate
Jordan Clements – Hays YMCA

Youth & Government - Areas of Participation

Legislative: write and debate a bill solving a current state issue

Judicial Mock Trial: part of a 5-8 person attorney team. Roles include attorney or witness.

Media: newspaper reporter, photographer, broadcaster, or cyber media

State Affairs Forum: write proposal on a set list of topics

Youth & Government 101

Participating Schools 2012-2013

Ann Richards School
Austin High School
Bastrop YMCA
Del Valle High School
East Austin Prep Academy
Hays Communities YMCA
LASA High School
Hyde Park High School
St. Andrew's High School
Springs Family YMCA
Westlake High School

*Middle school students participate in the legislative section only.