Welcome to the YG Blog
Our Youth and Government Blog is a space for our Media delegates to write and publish their work throughout the program year. Keep yourself updated and in the loop by reading topics written by our youths from across Texas.
A Look Inside an Appellate Trial
By Nora Kelly, Liberal Arts & Sciences Academy Appellate trials are a faceoff between two teams of two: one arguing in support of the state’s decision, and one arguing that the previous trial was unjust and that decision should be appealed. Appellate team Jaxie Niles Arguello and Samantha Mason, seniors [...]
The Sixth Amendment on Trial
By LeeAnn Partin, Hays High School The quiet power from the Court of Appeals shines through in today’s YMCA Youth and Government District Conference, hosted this year by Akins High School. The Appellate counsel joins together today to address the case of Larry Bridges (Appellant) vs. State of Texas (Appellee). [...]
Freshman Mock Trial Team Enjoys Their First Time at District
By Delia Rune, Liberal Arts & Sciences Academy A new mock trial team from LASA High School is taking on the competition this year at the YMCA Youth and Government (YAG) District Conference. Composed of eight girls, team #209 is excited to experience a YAG trial for the first time. [...]
Legislation Supports ‘Menstrual Rights’ in Texas Middle and High Schools
Written by Abby McAdams, Dripping Springs High School "Period poverty," the lack of menstrual products and education, can become a particularly damaging issue in middle and high schools for students from low-income families, deprioritizing their accessibility, or simply placing a stigma on menstrual cycles. This toxicity is what inspired authors [...]
Gallego Fights for Justice with Police Brutality Bill
By Spandana Palyam, Liberal Arts & Sciences Academy "Police should not be able to use excessive force while detaining or questioning suspects," argues Nick Gallego. To try and address this issue, he proposed a bill today to his committee. Bill number 12 sheds light on the public view of [...]
Third Party Governor Candidates Fight an Uphill Battle
As the 2022 race for Texas governor tightens, virtually all citizens and news outlets are focused on the two major candidates: Republican incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott, or his Democratic challenger, former Rep. Beto O’Rourke. This is hardly surprising. Every Texas governor (and nearly every prominent US politician) since the [...]
Behind Brian Kang
“It’s different, I'm going off of zoom from last year, it feels so different,” current Chief Justice Brian Kang explained as he looked around the hotel lobby. “Seeing everyone, seeing people argue, not seeing people on the screen.” After the virtual meetings and conferences due to COVID-19, Kang looks forward [...]
Welcome to the Capitol
As you walk through the towering wooden doors of the entrance to the Texas State Capitol, and make your way into the grand foyer looking up in awe, of the dome reaching into the sky, you may feel excitement, pride, and a little bit overwhelmed. This weekend, April 21-24, 2022, [...]
Moral Prostitution
4,421 years ago, around 2400 BCE, the concept of prostitution was first recorded on Ancient Summerian tablets believed to have listed the various roles of the cult of Inanna, a Summerian deity associated with love. Following its early conceptualization, prostitution has endured the test of time and remains part of [...]
Youth and Government Making a Change
The Texas YMCA Youth and Government (YG) program came to be 86 years ago. It was founded in New York by Clement Duran. The motto of the program is “Democracy must be learned by each generation,” which was said by Earl T. Hawkins who established the Maryland Youth and Government. [...]
The Case for HB038
Mental health is a growing problem in America, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated these concerns. According to Michigan University, anxiety and depression in teens have increased by as much as 36% and 31%, respectively, since the beginning of the pandemic. And in December of 2021, the U.S. Surgeon [...]
Flair and Fashion of Texas YG
The Texas YMCA Youth and Government program has a long and sophisticated history, extending over 7 decades prior to today and including thousands of students. Because of its highly respected past and the professional environment of the organization, a strict dress code is required for all students to follow. Through [...]