The 34th Annual Youth & Government Conference continued in the tradition of showcasing the work of high school students across the state as more than 1100 delegates, volunteers and staff gathered in Raleigh over Valentine’s Weekend to debate bills, compete in mock trials, elect new student leaders and experience first-hand how government works and how they can be a part of the process.
During the weekend, delegates had the chance to hear from special featured speakers including:
- NC Representative Dante Pittman, a former Youth & Government Student
- NC Representative Sarah Crawford
- NC State Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby
- NC State Supreme Court Associate Justice Anita Earls
- NC Alliance of YMCA CEO Paige Hughes Binfield
The goal of the program is to develop more connected, involved young people who understand how our government works and have a desire to have their voices heard. It’s one more way the Y is making sure that every child and teen is more resilient.
YAG by the numbers
- 1100: Student delegates, advisors and staff from 105 municipalities and 28 counties across North Carolina
- 230: bills written, submitted and debated by student legislators
- 40: bills passed and signed by the Student Governor
- 41: total delegations from across the state
- 40: total social media posts created by the Social Media Team
- 500+: photos taken by the Photography Team
- 28: Blog posts written and posted by the Media Writers Team
- 5: full videos shot, edited, produced and delivered by the YAG Media Broadcast Team. You can view them here.
- 10: new delegations attending the conference for the first time this year
- More than $38,000 in scholarships distributed to make sure that students had the opportunity to experience this unique YMCA program.
Thanks to everyone who took part in the event and helped to make it happen!
