Pine Bush High School’s Youth in Government has had a very successful year so far! At its first major event, the annual platform convention at Minisink High School, Pine Bush’s Kylie Conley wrote and presented a first place plank. Kylie advocated for veterans’ mental health and won her plank committee and won in the final round on the floor.

Pine Bush also had a second place plank come out of committee in the environment plank. The plank advocated for turning to nuclear energy as an alternative energy source and was led by Luke Beers, Rachel Vinella, David Zadov and Bella Zeblin.

“It was well thought-out and a great example of teamwork,” said Charlene Webster, advisor to the Youth in Government club.

Just what is a plank?

Students are asked to pick a topic that is very important to them, something they would like to see changed when it comes to society. Once they have chosen something, they are led through a process of writing a piece of legislation of their own, or their “plank.” Their plank is then put into one of six categories to compete with other students from other local schools in that plank platform. The plank categories are economics, environment, foreign policy, state, local, and social.

 

 

 

Students present their planks to groups of students from other schools with planks of a common theme. These presentations are two to three minutes in length so students have to get straight to the point and convince others that their plank is important enough to move on to the final round. Students had to provide a handout with the details of their plank for their committee.

 

Some of Pine Bush’s planks ranged from returning to the gold standard, focusing on nuclear energy, veterans’ mental health assistance, health care affordability, getting rid of daylight savings, wellness of the earth due to AI, strengthening the power of unions, reasonable immigration policies, and setting criteria for US involvement financially in foreign affairs.

 

Pine Bush students were part of every committee and seven students presented planks.

 

“These were very strong topics and our students had very passionate views on these issues,” said Ms. Webster. “The students, who are mostly new to the program, did amazing presentations.”

This year, the Pine Bush Youth in Government club has grown to 55 active and engaged students, according to Ms. Webster, a big jump in membership.

 

 

“These students have been such a pleasure to work with and it is really impressive to see young people who want to learn and be part of the governmental process,” said Ms. Webster.

Along with their Ms. Webster, who assisted the People’s Party group, Jessica Grasso attended the convention to help in the Citizen’s Party group. Ms. Grasso is no stranger to Youth in Government. She was an advisor for this program at Minisink High School when she worked there.

 

“She is such a great asset to the group and the kids love her,” said Ms. Webster.

 

Reflecting on the platform convention, Ms. Webster said it was a “powerful and rewarding day.”

 

“Pine Bush should be very proud of the dedication and ambitions of this dynamic group this year,” said Ms. Webster. “The future of government looks bright.”