Southampton Town Youth Attend Youth And Government Conference

Members of the Town of Southampton Youth Bureau’s Youth and Government program participated in the annual YMCA Youth and Government conference in Albany from March 18 to 20. During the three-day conference, students served as part of a model state government and debated bills they and their peers had written. Students were given the chance to learn about a wide variety of topics, develop critical thinking skills, and express their beliefs in an engaging and constructive process with other chapters across New York State.

Aiden Genender, a senior at Pierson High School, and Andrew Mastrole and James Daniels, both seniors at Westhampton Beach High School, attended the conference and represented the Town of Southampton Youth Bureau’s chapter of the YMCA program under the supervision of Southampton Town Councilman Tommy John Schiavoni.

“Youth and Government is a powerful program that prepares our young people to be the leaders of tomorrow. I’m proud of how our students presented at the State conference. They researched and prepared for months and it showed in their performance,” Councilman Schiavoni said.

Genender had a leadership role and was chosen to serve as the comptroller for the governor’s cabinet. “I made friends with people all over the state, passed my bill, and was voted as an outstanding debater in my chamber. It was an incredible experience, and I truly and confidently believe it accurately represents my growth as a human being,” Genender said.

“I met lots of friendly, like-minded people, and I enjoyed critiquing dozens of bills that covered a wide variety of issues,” Mastrole said.

Daniels expressed that “Youth and Government was a transformative experience because I was able to debate and vote on bills of statewide importance just like a real New York legislator would.”

All who attended the conference learned skills to actively participate in the democratic process, which is the main goal of the program. By providing opportunities such as Youth and Government, students are able to understand that democracy is a continual process and that it must be learned and earned by each succeeding generation.

The Town of Southampton Youth Bureau’s chapter of Youth and Government will officially resume in September 2022. Registration is open to students in grades nine through 12 residing within the Town of Southampton. For more information or to register for Youth and Government, call 631-702-2425 or visit the Youth Bureau’s main webpage at southamptontownny.gov/youthbureau.