Pennsylvania YAG

Background


In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Youth And Government program uses the name, YAG.

Links

 * Main site, http://www.ymcapa.org/index.html
 * Blog / Tumblr: http://payagpress.tumblr.com/
 * YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/PaYouthandGov?feature=watch
 * The press corps has a private wiki. http://PAYAG.wikispaces.com
 * PA YMCA on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/PA-YMCA-Youth-Government/34488452484
 * The 66th PA Youth Governor, Erik Rauterkus, has started a blog, http://YAG365.blogspot.com.
 * Photo bucket site. http://s1098.photobucket.com/albums/g362/PAYouthandGov/
 * Suggested hash tag for twitter, #payag
 * Suggested hash tag #YAG265 for efforts with the PA Youth Governor.

Media Links

 * |Obama YAG students spend unforgettable weekend in Harrisburg, have harrowing trip home, article in school newspaper in April 2012.

What's What at Model?

 * by Kayla Kellam of the YAG Press in 2012
 * PA_Rotunda_2012.jpg

The goal of model is to provide high school students with a better understanding of how government works. Delegates interact in the three-day event held at the state capitol in Harrisburg, from April 20 to 22, 2012. The rotunda setting is an exciting place for delegates to mirror the function of the actual state government.

Being caring, honest, respectful, and responsible is a huge part of our program's values. Delegates learn to confront ideas intellectually while being considerate at the same time. Students have the opportunity to use the physical spaces of the Senate, House of Representatives, and Supreme Court chambers, plus committee, caucus, and hearing rooms.

Model provides a significant growing experience that is based off of two main sections, judicial and legislative. Delegates that are a part of the judicial program debate the case given to them in the fall. They are on one of two sides, the "appellee" or the "appellant". The appellee is the party who is "called" by the other side to explain why the decision of the court should be upheld. The appellant is the one "calling" for the appeal. The six Supreme Court Justices and the Chief Justice hear arguments from both teams of attorneys.

It's a little different on the legislative side. A delegate talks and debates their bill (topic chosen by the student) in their committee.If it is well structured then the bill goes up to the "House". Over all, legislators vote on bills, speak their minds, run for offices, and vote for officers. At the end of model, the new Youth Governor is elected for the next year.

Details



 * Passed_Bills_2012.pdf