SJCS Students Shine at 2025 YIG Conference

St. Joseph's Catholic School sent a delegation of 66 students and five advisors to the South Carolina YMCA High School Youth in Government Convention in Columbia November 5-8.

The conference is recognized nationwide as an exercise in democratic principles and civil discourse. St. Joseph’s has participated in YIG for 24 years and has attended 25 conferences, including two during the COVID year.

The students spent four days arguing for the passage of bills, acting in leadership roles for committees and chambers, arguing appeals cases to the mock state supreme court and acting as Supreme Court Justices.

Congratulations to all of the students! The following were recognized for their outstanding work:

Outstanding Bill in the Upper House: Madison Laguerre and Fernanda Meneses.

Outstanding Statesman in the Premier Senate: Manuel Del Valle.

Outstanding Committee Chair (given to only 1 of the 26): Liam Parrott.
 

The following students had their bills successfully passed through both chambers and signed by the Youth Governor:

In Premier Senate

Zak Bourne and Paul Manavalan: To Increase Daycare Support
Anna Catherine Parker and Victoria Russell: Teachers’ Supply Tax Credit Increase
Lukas Mueller and Manuel Del Valle: Lower the Serving Age
Sean Gilroy and James Smith: Reduce the Population Density in Major Cities
Macy Caldwell and Regina Rios Martinez: Require High Schools to Have a Business Start Up Program

In Upper House

Charlie Frazer and Max MacGregor: Brighter Kids, Brighter Future
Madison Laguerre and Fernanda Meneses: To Protect Education for Undocumented Minors
Colin Keefe and Antony Manavalan: Reduce the Use of Artificial Turf in High School Athletics
Maeve Alvis and Lilie Stravolo: Require Narcan in All Schools

In Upper Senate

Kristen Nelson and Reese Prince: Make Medical Testing on Both Biological Sexes Mandatory
John Eberstein and Frank Remsberg: Successfully led a joint session debate to overturn the Youth Governor’s veto on their bill, An Act to Require AI Literacy in Schools.

Click HERE to watch a video of Ryan Kane presenting a resolution and HERE to watch Antony Manavalan and Matthew Olsen talking about their YIG experience.

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