Rockland County YMCA Youth and Government Program Achieves Exceptional Growth and Recognition
March 27, 2025
The Rockland County YMCA’s Youth and Government (YAG) program continues to thrive, with an impressive expansion and remarkable student achievements at this year’s state conference in Albany. With a growing number of students participating, the program is making a lasting impact on young leaders in our community.
This year, 13 YAG students earned Outstanding Delegate awards, a testament to their hard work, dedication, and exceptional leadership during the event. Among them were students from Nyack High School, North Rockland High School, Tappan Zee High School, Ramapo High School, Hudson Valley P-TECH, Pearl River High School, Spring Valley High School, and others, demonstrating the broad reach and diverse participation in the program.
The YMCA Youth and Government program’s leadership pipeline has also flourished, with 7 students qualifying for the prestigious Conference on National Affairs (CONA), an event where high school students from across the country debate national issues. In addition, 6 students earned spots as CONA alternates, underscoring the depth of talent in the Rockland County delegation.
In another exciting development, 4 students have been selected to represent the Rockland County YMCA at the National Judicial Competition (NJC), where they will compete in Mock Trial and Appellate Court. This national competition offers students the opportunity to refine their skills in legal reasoning and advocacy.
The growth of the Rockland County YMCA Youth and Government program reflects the increasing commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders. The program provides students with invaluable opportunities to engage in civic discourse, develop critical thinking skills, and strengthen their leadership abilities, paving the way for their future success in a rapidly changing world.
Presiding Officers
Below are the results for the 2025-26 Presiding Officer Team.
President Pro Tempore of Senate Liberty: Griffin Meltzer - Tappan Zee HS
Speaker of Assembly Liberty: Eghosa Ikhinmwin - North Rockland HS
Editor-in-Chief: Sofie Barsanti - Nyack HS
Awards
Outstanding Delegate Brandon Suniga Hudson Valley P-Tech
Outstanding Delegate Sarah Alcenat North Rockland High School
Outstanding Delegate Silas Edla Nyack Senior High School
Outstanding Delegate Samantha Ares Pearl River High School
Outstanding Delegate Allan Cruz Ramapo High School
Outstanding Delegate Abigail Koshy Rockland YMCA
Outstanding Delegate Saniyah Grey Spring Valley High School
Outstanding Delegate Isa Olcott Tappan Zee High School
Outstanding Bill 99 Tappan Zee High School
Outstanding Bill 93 Pearl River High School
Outstanding Justice Micheal Hanebuth Court room 4 Tappan Zee HS
Outstanding Debater Samantha Ares Senate Liberty - Pearl River HS
Lt. Governor Excelsior Service Award Danna Marroquin - Nyack HS - Recorded over 200 volunteer hours - Teens in Action program
Conference on National Affairs (CONA) Selected List
Eghosa Ikhinmwin - NRHS
Rebecca Campomanes - Nyack HS
Tressa Sullivan - Nyack HS
Allan Cruz - Ramapo HS
Sofie Barsanti: Press - Nyack HS
Griffin Meltzer - Tappan Zee HS
Isabella Popescu - Tappan Zee HS
CONA Alternate List
Brandon Suniga - P-Tec
Danny Cory - Pearl River HS
Samie Aries - Pearl River HS
Rebecca Campomanes - Nyack HS
Mary McCormack - Tappan Zee HS
Valencia Massaro - Tappan Zee HS
National Judicial Competition (NJC)
Tressa Sullivan - Nyack HS
Michael Hanebuth- Tappan Zee HS
Alexondria Walsh - Tappan Zee HS
