WVHS Youth In Government program wraps up fall activities
During the fall 2024 season, students in the Warwick Valley High School Youth in Government (YIG) program have been busy with numerous activities.
In late September, YIG participants and students from the Criminal Justice Program visited the Rockland County Courthouse. The “Law Day” event started with a presentation by Rockland County Commissioner of Jurors Sabrina Greco about how the jury system works and its important role in our society. Hon. Judge Desir followed Commissioner Greco with his own presentation about how he got interested in law and the journey on becoming a judge.
The second half of the day was spent in Hon. Judge Fried’s chambers. The students got to witness a live public proceeding, which was enriching and engaging. It was followed by a nearly hour-long question and answer session with the judge. The questions ranged from specific court cases and proceedings to how the Hon. Judge Fried got started in the judiciary. 24 students attended, along with criminal justice teacher Eduardo Avila, special education/social studies teacher Jerome Safier, and YIG Advisor/social studies teacher Kevan Ottochian. Some students shared that it was a life changing and eye opening experience, and everyone appreciated the professionalism and time that the officials from the Rockland County Courthouse offered.
On October 18, YIG students from multiple high school programs across Orange County attended the Platform Convention at Minisink Valley High School. The annual event has students join their respective political parties — the Citizens Party or the Peoples Party — to adopt platforms (aka planks) on a range of issues. Before arriving at the convention, Warwick YIG members collaborated with their teammates on researching and writing speeches for their planks. Issues ranged from the local and state level, to the national level, including issues such as foreign policy and economics. Warwick students prepared and spoke passionately about their plank issues. A total of 10 Wildcat teams participated, and three teams had their planks adopted by their committees and passed by a majority vote in their respective party.
Additionally, the Citizens Party nominated two Wildcats to be the convention chair and secretary. Gary Polakoff and Sal Spinelli did a fantastic job ensuring a smooth and effective convention for all the participating YIG schools. Overall, students had a strong showing from veteran members as well as from newcomers to the program.
On November 21, more than 20 YIG students participated in the annual Steering Convention at Newburgh Free Academy. The political convention helps students follow and understand the process of nominating political candidates and campaigning for office. Members prepared speeches to run for 11 mock political positions/offices from across the local, state and federal government levels. Three Wildcats qualified to be the leading candidates for the general election.
WVHS YIG President Christian Katsabanis will be the Citizens Party candidate for NY Governor. The Citizens Party nominated two other Wildcats, Abigail Foust for Congressperson and Robert Morris for NYS Senator. These three individuals will run against a candidate from other participating YIG schools in early 2025. Each student will have their speech filmed and compiled into a single video by the WVTA Production Team, led by teacher Dan Cecconie, which will be distributed and shown to all Orange County high school social studies classes for the general election. The winners will have the opportunity to chaperone their respective position and elected official sometime in Spring 2025.
“Mr. Safier and I are extremely proud of all the students that participated in the convention, especially those that won their respective party’s nomination for office,” Mr. Ottochian said. “Program members represented Warwick Valley High School with integrity and spoke with passion. I truly believe we have the winning formula to reclaim the Youth in Government trophy. America’s future is very bright because of our students and their dedicated efforts. The positive impact our program is having on our students cannot be done without the continued support of WVHS and WVMS administrators, Board of Education, and Central Administration. We appreciate it. Go Wildcats!”
The Warwick Valley YIG program is aiming to reclaim the top award for best overall program by continuing to fiercely prepare and compete. As of December, Wildcats are tied for third place!
Interested in Youth In Government? Mr. Ottochian encourages all students to join the high school’s award-winning program. No experience or prior government knowledge is required. Learn more about how government works, meet your elected representatives, and work on life skills while having fun with your classmates, the Youth in Government Program is the best place for that and more!
Google Classroom code: bukyr6t.