The Trenton Times published the following article on March 30, 2014. To read the full article, click here.
N.J. students to take over Statehouse in annual YMCA Youth and Government conference
By Cristina Rojas/The Times of Trenton
on March 30, 2014 at 6:50 AM, updated March 30, 2014 at 6:53 AMTRENTON — Next weekend, more than 500 middle and high school students will take over the Statehouse.
Taking part in the 76th annual YMCA New Jersey Youth and Government conference, delegates will introduce bills before committees and the Senate and Assembly, pleading for support and appealing to the “governor” to sign their bills into law.
Some will argue real-world appellate and Supreme Court cases and debate the constitutionality of mock bills, while others will participate as mock lobbyists and press corps members. Members of an “executive response committee” will work together on public education reform and contingency plans for a pandemic outbreak.
“It’s an awesome opportunity to go through the legislative process while in the Statehouse,” said Carter Coudriet, editor-in-chief of the press corps. “How often are a bunch of teens able to get access to that amazing setting?”
In the months and days leading up to the weekend, delegates have participated in service projects around the state, volunteering in soup kitchens, food banks, veterans’ homes and other charitable organizations.