During their Jan. 6 meeting, the Mineola BOE honored seven members of the middle school Speech and Debate Club for their success at the New York Youth & Government (YAG) Conference, a three-day program in which students travel to Albany and engage directly in a simulation of the State’s democratic process.

Learners who were present to collect their certificates included John Castellano, Matthew Ahlfeld, Grace Cosgrove, Joanna Peitler, Rachel Fogarty, Devan Parekh and Michael Perro, who was elected Governor at the conference and brought home the official gavel as a memento.

At the conference, the students acted as Senators and Assembly Members to present, debate and vote on two bills, both which were passed during the simulated session.

* Bill #1- ban the use of gas-powered leaf blowers by 2025
* Bill #2- mandate the installation of security doors that automatically lock when a lockdown bell is triggered

YAG is a national government and politics program that promotes civic literacy and community service while also giving students a forum for their ideas. Legislation first proposed in YAG now is seen in more than three hundred actual laws in states throughout the country.

The district extends special thanks to Mr. Fenty and Ms. Cavuto for chaperoning the trip.

Read more about their experience in the Patch article: https://patch.com/new-york/mineola/mineola-middle-schoolers-learn-they-can-move-people-jr-lawmakers

Click here to view the photo slideshow.

Date Added: 1/6/2023