St. Joe students recently participated in Missouri Youth and Government or YAG in Jefferson City.  YAG is a three day convention in our state’s capital for high school students from all around Missouri.  Approximately 700 student gathered and made up mock legislative, judicial, and media branches.

High school students make up and coordinate every aspect of the mock government, this includes a Governor, Speaker of the House, Judges, News Anchors, and many other leadership positions.  The St. Joseph’s Academy delegation was one of the biggest, with 60 girls.  

“I can’t think of a single thing I don’t love about YAG, from great debates to walking around Jeff. City in capital dress, YAG is absolutely one of my favorite parts of the entire year!” junior Sara Isaacson, committee chair in the legislative branch, said.

The legislative branch included two houses and senate this year.  The participants argued bills, voted on behalf of bills, and eventually signed a handful of bills into law by the governor.  The legislative branch was able to use the actual Missouri State Senate and House.  The judicial branch tried two completely separate cases during its time in Jefferson City, a regular case with witnesses and an appellate case.  Judges dictated each case and eventually chose the overall best attorneys to compete in semi-finals and finals.  Finally, the media branch publish a newspaper two times a day which featured different aspects of the other two branches.  It also produced an evening and morning news segment which included interviews and videos of all the action.  

All three branches and every delegation across Missouri attended the Yagster on the Friday night of the convention.  This is a big mixer which allows all of the participants to meet new people and further socialize.  On the last day, the convention hosts an entire campaign and voting procedure in order to elect the leaders of next year’s convention.

        Youth and Government started months before the November 9-11th convention for the Angels.  Students from all four classes applied for YAG in early September.  Then, the members met weekly to prepare for the convention.  Each member of the legislative branch researched and wrote a bill to be presented at the convention.  The judicial member prepared their case and practice trying it.  The media branch practiced with cameras and made practice videos to prepare.  

The media and legislative branches both collaborated with the St. Louis University High School delegation.  The two school met, helped each other, and practiced for the convention.

“Preparing for YAG can be exhausting and a lot of hard work, but it’s totally worth it at the convention,” junior Gretchen Allman explained.

YIG moderators Mrs. Ally Landherr and Ms. Hannah Decker brought the students to Jefferson City to spend the three days at the capital.

“It’s so rewarding as a teacher to watch students spend an entire semester discovering new passions while opening their own eyes to the multifaceted realities of the government that shapes so much of our reality!” Ms. Decker said.

St. Joe had an extremely successful convention this year.  The women of St. Joe represented the Academy in several leadership positions.  SJA girls held thirteen different leadership spots. Within the legislative branch, senior Emily Smith was the Chief of Staff, senior Claire Shackleford was the Secretary of State, and juniors Maggie Hannick and Sara Isaacson were both Committee Chairs.  

Eight different juniors and seniors were judges in the judicial branch: Gretchen Allman, Cathy dePenaloza, Madison Guzy, Anna Hill, Megan Johar, Sara Kirsch, Kaylen Rice, and Erin Schuler.  Finally, senior Chickie Slane served as Attorney General.

“It was such an incredible experience to be one of the main leaders at the convention and getting to watch my fellow SJA girls thrive in all three branches!” Claire said.

The St. Joe delegation also won many awards while at YIG.  In the legislative branch, first Sara Isaacson won an award for Outstanding Statesperson.  Also, Ashlyn Wingett and Alex McWhirter’s bill was signed into youth law, and Sara Isaacson’s bill was also signed into law.  Next, Maggie Holleran’s bill passed the Senate, but there was not enough time for it to be debated in the House.  

Within the judicial branch, SJA law teams won eight of its 11 cases.  Also, Sage Andersohn, Emmi Mattern, Sarah Gurensfelder, and Hannah Hormuth all advanced to the semi-finals of the competition case. Sage, Emmi, and Sarah all advanced to the finals, and Sage Andersohn and her partner won the trial competition! Finally, Kaylen Rice and Erin Schuler were both awarded “Best Mentor Judges.” Members of the media branch, Olivia Stapf and Margaret Blackburn won “Best Feature Story” for their video on how a bill becomes a law.  

And finally, junior Maggie Hannick was elected governor for the entire convention next year.  This is very exciting and huge for both Maggie and the entire SJA delegation.

“I loved every minute of YAG, and I am beyond excited and honored to have been elected Youth Governor!” Maggie said. “ I cannot wait for next year, and I am excited for more SJA girls to participate in such an amazing program!”  

Overall, Youth and Government was a huge success, and the entire SJA community is super excited about the outstanding year.  

Gallery • 2 Photos

Seniors Megan Johar (left) and Erin Schuler (right) in front of the Missouri State Capitol