High School Program Overview
Welcome to High School Youth and Government – a hands-on civic engagement program that empowers Texas teens to learn by doing. Open to teens in grades 9–12, our program runs from August to March and offers meaningful, real-world experiences in government, law, media, and public policy.
Teens can choose from five exciting sections: Trial Court, Appellate, Legislative, Media, and State Affairs Forum. Whether you’re passionate about debating real court cases, writing and defending legislation, producing news stories, or discussing solutions to current issues, there’s a place for you here.
Throughout the year, teens develop valuable skills like public speaking, critical thinking, research, and collaboration—all while building lifelong friendships and learning how democracy works from the inside out.
And the journey doesn’t stop at the State Conference in March! Teens can continue their involvement through Texas Youth Advocacy, a post-program opportunity that runs from April to May. This initiative allows teens to stay engaged, speak out on the issues that matter most, and turn their civic passions into real action.
Youth and Government is more than just a program—it’s a movement where “Democracy must be learned by each generation.”
Sections
LEGISLATIVE
In Legislative students create bills focused on topics important to them. Bills are debated, considered in
committee, and moved to the house or senate for consideration. Share your passion with other students from
your school, city, and across the state! Our student legislature considers bills from across the aisle and across all topics. In the Legislature students are given the opportunity to be involved in healthy debates with peers across all subsections of politics.
JUDICIAL
Each year students evaluate and debate high press cases from across the nation. Double murders, homicides and so much more! This section allows you to team up with a group of friends, dominate as a duo, or own the gavel SOLO! Students can participate as Judges presiding over the courtroom and ultimate decision makers on who has the best case. Show off your writing skills and ability to defend your stance and you and your teammate could reverse the decision on this case! The judicial section will give you the knowledge of the legal procedure, ability to communicate, questioning skills, reasoning ability, knowledge of the law, organization, critical thinking, preparation, and teamwork.
STATE AFFAIRS FORUM
Are you passionate about State and National Politics!? In our State Affairs section students create proposals assessing topics in these areas! Proposals are debated, considered in committee, and moved to full contingency consideration. Share your passion with other students from your school, city, and across the state! Our State Affairs section considers proposals from across the aisle and across all topics. In the State Affairs section students are given the opportunity to really develop healthy debate with peers across all subsections of politics. Take this challenge on alone or tag team the debate with a friend or two! Get your graph and visual ready because in State Affairs we challenge you to really think through your stance and defend it!
MEDIA
Everything media you can image, newspaper, broadcast, podcast, blogs, and online social media! YG is about teens and covered by teens! Bring your talents and your skills to ensure in-depth coverage of our conferences and events! You could be the star of our newscast at night or the head of our newspaper! Are you a formatting guru, be our print editor. Can only you see the world perfectly through a lens? Helps us see how you see YG and become our head photographer! News can make or break politicians! Stretch your influence muscles and show our youth leaders that even in YG somebody is always watching and always listening! Get ready to expose how much media influences the political process.
GOVERNOR’S CABINET AND LOBBYIST
Our Governor’s Cabinet section works directly with our Youth Governor. The Youth Governor sets a legislative agenda for the State Conference. He or she then works with the Cabinet to lobby in the Legislative chambers for his or her agenda, which is comprised of specific bills or issues he or she would like to see debated and acted upon.
Texas Youth Advocacy
Texas Youth Advocacy is a post-program opportunity that runs from April to May, designed to keep teens civically engaged beyond the main Youth and Government season. This initiative invites high school participants to take what they’ve learned through YAG and apply it to real-world advocacy efforts. Teens continue researching issues they care about, build persuasive campaigns, and present their ideas to community leaders, policymakers, or the public.
Whether through writing op-eds, meeting with officials, or creating awareness projects, Texas Youth Advocacy empowers teens to move from mock government into meaningful action. It’s a natural next step for those who want to deepen their impact, sharpen their voice, and stay connected to a community of passionate changemakers.
Find Your Club: Get Started Today!
Exploring club opportunities at your school? Not sure if one exists? Submit an interest form, and we’ll connect you with the right person. If your school doesn’t have a club, we’re here to help you kick-start one! Let’s make your school experience even more enriching together.
2026-2027 High School YMCA Texas Youth and Government
State Officers

Anvika Jain
Austin, District 2

Daniel Ren
Houston, District 3

Mark Anthony Clausell
Arlington, District 9

Easton Burkes
Dallas, District 5

Carolina Matzner
Austin, District 2

Jordyn Woodruff
Dallas, District 5

Bryan Page
Austin, District 2

David Lee
Corpus Christi, District 12





