Alabama Youth and Government

Alabama Youth and Government

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Y-Core Values Provide a Template for a Successful Youth Leg

By Carter Holloway 2026 Youth Governor I am so excited about all the 77th Annual Alabama YMCA Youth Legislature will bring, and I hope you feel the same way. As you debate and encounter delegates from all over the state this weekend, please consider the Y-Core values: • Caring • Honesty • Respect • Responsibility … [Read More]

Top teams and participants named for the 2025 Mock Trial Competition

More than 350 students and advisers attended the 2025 YMCA Mock Trial Competition Nov. 7-9 at the Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center and the Alabama Supreme Court building in downtown Montgomery. Youth Chief Justice Ansley Gilbert, a senior at Spain Park High School in Hoover, presided over the three-day competition and conference. Thirty-eight teams … [Read More]

2026 Youth Legislature officers sworn in at awards ceremony

The governor and officers for the 2026 Alabama YMCA Youth Legislature were sworn into office Sunday, March 2, 2025. These elected officials will work for the next year to plan and lead the 2026 session. Gov. Carter Holloway, Spain Park High School, Hoover Lt. Gov. Addison Pledger, Spain Park High School, Hoover Speaker of the … [Read More]

First Year Bill #36: “McDonald’s Is Giving Us Cancer”

By Aashvi Patel, Saint James Academy Tomorrow-TODAY Staff Writer Sims Goodrich, author of first year bill #36: “McDonald’s Is Giving Us Cancer,” proposes a 1% tax on under-researched food colorings, artificial flavors, and preservatives that have been proven harmful to human health. Additionally, she argues that all foods containing these chemicals should carry a warning label … [Read More]

“One Nation Under God:” The Debate Over Senate Bill #55

By Aashvi Patel, Saint James Academy Tomorrow-TODAY Staff Writer Senate bill #55 by Lily Landers sparked controversy by proposing the requirement of the Bible as a reference when teaching the historical background of constitutional decisions made by key figures in U.S. history. Furthermore, Landers proposes the mandated incorporation of the Bible into the AP Government … [Read More]

Forming Future Leaders Through ALYIG Lobbyists

By Palmer Cerniglia and Clara McShane, Spain Park High School Tomorrow-TODAY Staff Writers The ALYIG lobbyists have an important role at Youth Leg. Lobbyists work tirelessly behind the scenes to develop arguments either for or against specific bills. ALYIG’s lobbyists evaluate bills on the dockets in depth to decide on bills they find interesting or … [Read More]

First-Year Delegates Debate Special Order Bills

By Palmer Cerniglia, Spain Park High School Tomorrow-TODAY Staff Writer Alabama’s Youth Legislature has seen an active start from its newest members, with first-year delegates’ bills aimed at taking on diverse issues. From addressing mental health and energy production to promoting healthier lifestyles and decreasing nicotine use among students, these freshman debaters bring fresh perspectives … [Read More]

The ALYIG Supreme Court Challenges the Constitutionality of Three Bills

By Ella Gant, Spain Park High School Tomorrow-TODAY Staff Writer Many Youth Legislature delegates eagerly prepare to debate the bills they wrote with their peers in the First Year Chamber, the House, and the Senate. Occasionally, the bills as written walk the edge of constitutionally. When that happens, delegates are summoned to debate their bill … [Read More]