Students from across New York State came together for the Inaugural Middle School Youth And Government this November, taking over the Senate Chambers to discuss their own ideas. Youth Senators presented bills they had written to their peers for debate, and several excellent ideas were considered. If you want to get your school or students involved next year, just contact dcaldwell@ymcanys.org.
The students impressed with both the quality of their words and the respect they conducted it with. Each bill received honest consideration and intelligent questions. Beyond the debate, participants had the opportunity to enjoy a visit from Assemblyman Pete Lopez, as well as a tour of the Capitol building and the nearby YNN News studio.
Each group was led by a teacher from their school, and over the course of three days these students had the chance to make new and lasting friendships while advocating causes they believed in. Several were recognized for their contributions in debate, bill writing, and statesmanship.
Outstanding Bill Awards went to:
Nurys Santiago, Ben Tobin representing Cleveland Hill, AN ACT TO : Rename Columbus Day- Indigenous People’s Day
Jason Schwartz, Emma Piccirillo representing Maple Avenue, AN ACT TO : Require a label to be placed on all genetically modified products.
Heather Moriarty, Miranda Cartwright, Jacob Gibson, Cesar Battle, Miguel Kunkle, Garrett Szulewski representing Keshequa Central, AN ACT TO : Make it so students loan debts are not as crippling to college graduates.
Outstanding Speaker Awards went to:
Nurys Santiago of Cleveland Hill, Ethan Smith of Cohen, Natalie Broadman of Genessee, Sofia Marra of Genessee, Miguel Kunkle of Keshequa, Heather Moriarty of Keshequa, Jason Schwartz of Maple Avenue, William Braxton of Maple Avenue, Brent Tucker of Minerva,
Outstanding Delegate Awards went to:
Nathaniel Godzala of Cleveland Hill, Tyler Korsky of Cohen, Ashlyn Maggs of Cohen, Ryley McKnight of Genessee, Cesar Battle of Keshequa, Katherine Wimberly of Minerva, Kara Hausam of Maple Avenue, and Liam Towne of Maple Avenue.
2016 Middle School Youth And Government Bills
#1 Baniya Cook, Sydney Robinson, and Haley Barnes representing Cleveland Hill
AN ACT TO : Teach drivers how to drive in hazardous weather.
#2 Caleb Nieves, Evan Lewandowski, and Nathaniel Godzola representing Cleveland Hill
AN ACT TO : Make election day a New York State holiday.
#3 Nurys Santiago, Ben Tobin representing Cleveland Hill
AN ACT TO : Rename Columbus Day- Indigenous People’s Day
#4 Madison Kulp, Abigail Hart, Kathryn Vittie and Maria Lesser representing Cleveland Hill
#5 Jason Schwartz, Emma Piccirillo representing Maple Avenue
AN ACT TO : Require a label to be placed on all genetically modified products.
#6 Kara Hausam, Francesca Marrapodi, Becca Los representing Maple Avenue
#7 Will Braxton and Ethan Murphy representing Maple Avenue
#8 Paul Sheehan and Liam Towne representing Maple Avenue
AN ACT TO : Eliminate corporate and state taxes for the first 10 years of start-up businesses.
#9 Kate Wimberly, Avery Bayse, Hannah McNally, and Brent Tucker representing Minerva
AN ACT TO : Make it mandatory for all school employees to have CPR-B training.
AN ACT TO : To fix and make safer main roads for the state of New York
AN ACT TO : Make it so students loan debts are not as crippling to college graduates.
#14 Tyler Korsky, Ashlyn Maggs, Kyler Ripley, Ethan Smith representing Cohen
AN ACT TO : Mandate New York State schools have bullet proof windows and doors.