Five Queensbury High School students attended the 88th annual YMCA Youth and Government state conference the snowy weekend of March 22-24 at the Desmond Hotel and the NYS Capitol. Students represented not only QHS but also YAG District 3, which includes students from Bolton, Johnsburg, Minerva, Newcomb, North Warren and Ticonderoga schools.
All five students participated in the legislature and presented bills in the Assembly chamber and the Legislative Office Building hearing rooms.
Isaiah Nieves introduced a bill that would put a maximum age restriction on members of the NYS Legislature.
Sade Maranville, Max Dreon, Paige Dreon and Xiao Ying Cheng Wu introduced a bill that would require maternal healthcare providers to provide post- and prenatal care to mothers to detect maternal depression.
Both bills passed in chambers and were later vetoed by the youth governor.
“It is not easy taking a position on an issue and defending it in front of 700 students from all over New York State,” said YAG advisor Andrew Terry. “I am very proud of the hard work and dedication each student puts into Youth and Government.”
Youth and Government is a three-day experiential learning program in which students serve as part of a model state government, taking over the chambers of the New York State Senate and Assembly to debate bills they have written. Students are offered the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of issues, develop critical thinking skills, and articulate their beliefs while engaging constructively with their peers from around the state.
Youth and Government is an extracurricular activity offered at QHS. Members meet every Thursday from late-September until March to prepare for the conference.