By Ellie Spinosa

Staff Writer

    Busses are loaded, suitcases are packed, students excitedly finalize their bills, and the two-hour drive to Raleigh, NC, begins. Over twenty students from R.J. Reynolds High School are headed to Youth and Government (YAG) for a four-day weekend at the Raleigh Convention Center. 

    “YAG is a mock government completely run by the youth,” senior and YAG Secretary of State Sophie Johnson said. “You have the option of being a part of one of three branches: legislative, judicial, or media. In legislative, you present bills and try to get them signed into youth law. In judicial, you argue about court cases and try to prove their constitutional legitimacy. And in media, you can take pictures, write stories, film, or social media manage!”  

    YAG gives high school students the opportunity to experience the governmental process firsthand and play a role in it.

    “I joined my freshman year when it was online and fell in love with the program,” Johnson said. “I felt like I had a place where I could express my love for government and learn how to make a difference.” 

    If you don’t want to play a role in one of the three branches, you can engage in the media program.

    “I loved having the freedom to go around and take pictures of the different parts of YAG,” junior and media member Patterson Butler said. “One of my favorite parts was getting to go up on stage, getting to dance and take pictures of all the people singing and dancing at the Friday Fun Night and Governors Gala. Although I had super late nights editing pictures, I am super excited to go back next year and do it all again!”   

    The hard work and dedication pay off with the experience, with fun events and galas each night. This makes the weekend a great time and provides an opportunity to meet new people.

    “The public speaking and preparation to understand all the cases was the hardest part,” senior Cora Hawfield said. “I love being able to do it with my best friend, and it’s really rewarding to win a case.”

    Experiencing the governmental process, social aspects, and nightly events makes it a time to remember.

    “We loved YAG. It was a very cool experience like nothing we’ve ever done,” freshmen Annie Elrod and Maddie Plunk said. “Our bill made it pretty far and we witnessed a new governor that looks like Brent Rivera get elected.”

    It was Elrod and Plonk’s first year attending YAG, and they are looking forward to doing it all again next year. Each year, YAG is filled with many individual and school accomplishments. This year, RJR won the model delegation, which is an award given to a team that shows the meaning of YAG, a team that is inclusive and positive and who tries to make it a good experience for everyone. They plan to keep working to accomplish more in the years to come.