Youth and Government

2026 NJ Youth Governor Election

In 1936, YMCAs across the country began the Youth and Government program as a teen leadership exercise founded in the spirit of teaching civic responsibility to new generations of Americans. Since then, Youth and Government programs have been established in 45 states, involving more than 50,000 teens across the country every year.

Included in this number is the YMCA New Jersey Youth and Government (NJ YAG) program, which began in 1938 making it one of the most historic youth programs in the nation. The two and a half day legislative simulation takes place in the historic New Jersey State House, where students debate bills that they have written, forge new friendships and gain a deeper sense of civic awareness.

Our program is different than traditional classroom civics—rather than just speak or read about civic engagement and responsibility, students in YMCA NJ YAG actually get to put their skills to the test and learn through experience. Students get to experience the legislative process first hand by participating as senators, assemblymen, justices, lobbyists, and members of the media in our legislative simulation. Students are able to address issues by writing, debating, and passing legislation all while being in the actual seats of legislators in the State House.

Through our program, students are also guided through positive youth and character development activities. The conference is guided by the YMCA Four Core Values--Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility, which guides the students’ approach to leadership roles and conference planning. Each weekend includes a Community Service project designed to build a theme and foster the tone of service to others for every participant.

YMCA New Jersey Youth and Government aims to show all its participants that they can make a difference by being civically engaged in their communities on a state or national level. Many program alumni have gone on to study at prestigious universities, both in the U.S. and abroad, and have distinguished career paths that include public servant roles as elected officials.

For more information, contact: yag@njyalliance.org

Links

2025 NJ Pre-Leg and Conference

April 25-27, 2025

2025 Conference

Resources

Delegate Resources

Delegate Manual

Dress Code

Legislative Delegates

Legislative Debate/Bill Flow

Committee and Chamber Procedures

Judicial Delegates

Cases

Lobby Corps Delegates

Lobby Corps Manual

Lobby Corps Application

Press Corps Delegates

Press Corps Manual

Advisor Resources

Delegate Roles

Junior Legislature (Middle School)

Delegate Coordinators

Peer to Peer Mentoring Program

Crisis Co-Operative

Public Relations and Press Corps

YAG Mag

Between the Gavels

Press Corps Manual

Leadership

Officers

Governor

Zayn Jaber

Lt. Governor

Mayuri Rajakaruna

Cabinet Officers


Angelina Busch - Cabinet, Commissioner of Health & Human Services	Gurkeerat Singh - Cabinet, Commissioner of Transportation & Technology


Alexis Chen - Cabinet, Commissioner of Education	Vishnu Sharma - Cabinet, Commissioner of Labor & Economics


Joanna Lee - Cabinet, Commissioner of Science & Environment	Sumedha Golla - Attorney General

Judicial - Chief Justices


Ana Nunez-Molina - Chief Justice	Janhitha Veeramachaneni - Chief Justice

Press Corps - Editors in Chief


Tharika Madireddy - Editor in Chief	Casey Fugere - Editor in Chief

Legislative Officers


Aanya Rana - Lobby Corps President	Annika Raj - Livingston Assembly Chair


Saahir Vazirani - Livingston Assembly Chair	Samantha Mossa - Livingston Assembly Chair


Jayson Pai - Livingston Senate Chair	Titus Solomon - Livingston Senate Chair


Aryan Mathur - Wilson Assembly Chair	James Meister - Wilson Assembly Chair


Elikem Amenuvor - Wilson Assembly Chair	Nidhi Reddy - Wilson Senate Chair


Subhash Durbha - Wilson Senate Chair