The annual Youth in Government County Service Day took place on Friday, April 4. This special event allows seven members from each of the participating schools in the program to take part in all areas of the Orange County Government.

 

Each student gets a unique perspective of how our government operates on a daily basis by shadowing a government agency. They get to spend the morning with the government agency to see how each component helps keep the county running and to keep its residents safe.

The students that represented Pine Bush High School and our Youth in Government program were:

• Senior Lydia Luksha – shadowed the Orange County Public Works
  
• Freshman Giuliana VanSickle – shadowed the Orange County Social Services
  
• Junior Matthew Falsetta – was part of the debate of removal of cell phones from Orange County schools in the actual Orange County Legislative chambers
  
• Junior Arianna Guardascione-Birch – shadowed the Orange County Surrogate Court Judge
  
• Senior Joseph Dickman –  shadowed the Orange County Surrogate Judge
  
• Freshman Scarlett Santiago – was our school’s winner for the Youth in Government County District
  
• Senior Jacob Schuh – also participated in the debate of removal of cell phones from Orange County schools in the actual Orange County Legislative chambers.

 

“Since the group is so large this year with 31 members, and the fact that we could only take seven, we took the seniors first and then did a lottery system for the other spots to make it fair and democratic,” said Charlene Webster, advisor to the group. “I like to take the seniors first so they have the opportunity to experience this day in their last year in high school.”

 

 

After the shadowing, the students were treated to a luncheon at the Wallkill Golf Club where Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus spoke to the students about the importance of service and to get involved in the day-to-day politics of the world. He told them of their responsibility as the future leaders and that they will be needed to pass the torch to.

 

 

“What a great job these members did representing PBHS,” said Ms. Webster. They were respectful and genuinely enthusiastic about participating. The bus ride back to the high school was full of conversation about their day and experiences. It was so nice to hear. It made me so very proud.”