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Youth in Government students explore political campaigning and the judicial system

A group of people, both men and women, standing together on a stage with a red curtain backdrop.

Students in the Warwick Valley High School Youth in Government (YIG) program have been busy with numerous activities this fall!

Back in October, the group competed against other local YIG students at the 2025 Platform Convention, hosted at Minisink Valley (pictured above). YIG advisors Kevan Ottochian and Jereme Safier accompanied the group. The annual event has students join their respective political parties -- either the Citizens Party or the Peoples Party -- to adopt platforms, also called planks, on a range of issues. Before arriving at the convention, members of both the Warwick Valley High and Middle school YIG groups collaborated with their teammates to research and write speeches for their planks. Issues ranged from local/state topics to national ones, such as foreign and economic policy. Thirteen Warwick students representing both parties spoke passionately about their plank issues.

See a gallery of photos from all three events below this story! 

On November 14, 24 students in the high school YIG program and middle school Student Senate visited the Rockland County Courthouse for a Law Day event. The day kicked off with a presentation by Rockland County Commissioner of Jurors, Sabrina Greco, who taught the students about how the jury system works and its important role in our society. That was followed by a walking tour of the courthouse, as well as an hour-long question and answer session with the Honorable Judge David Fried and a few local prosecutors. Questions ranged from those about specific court cases and proceedings, to Judge Fried's start in the judiciary.

A group of people, mostly young adults, gathered around a statue in an outdoor setting with trees and buildings in the background.

A week later, another large group of students in the high school YIG group competed in the annual Steering Convention, hosted at Newburgh Free Academy. The political convention teaches students about the process of nominating political candidates and campaigning for office. They prepared speeches to run for a range of mock political offices based on local, state, and federal government levels. Three Warwick Valley students qualified to be the leading candidates for the general election!

The three individuals will run against candidates from other participating YIG programs in early 2026. Juliet Thomas will be the NYS Gubernatorial candidate for the Peoples Party. Madison Tyzbir will be the Peoples Party candidate for NYS Attorney General. And the Citizens Party nominated Lakisha Attoradonoo for Orange County Court Judge. 

A group of people, both men and women, are standing together in a library or study area, with bookshelves and other library furnishings visible in the background.

Each nominee will have a campaign speech filmed by students in Dan Cecconie's Video Production program. Those will be compiled into a single video with those of other candidates, then distributed and shown in social studies classes across Orange County leading up to the general election. The winners will have the opportunity to shadow an elected official in their respective position some time in the spring.

“We are all extremely proud of the students who participated in the convention, especially those who won their respective party’s nomination for office," said  Mr. Ottochian. "The members represented our district with integrity and spoke with passion. America’s future is very bright because of our students and their dedicated efforts. The positive impact our program is having on our students can not be done without the continued support of WVHS and WVMS administrators, Board of Education, and Central Administration. We appreciate it."

Interested in joining Youth In Government?
Looking to learn more about how government works? Meet your elected representatives? Or, just work on life skills while having fun with your classmates? Youth in Government Program is a great place for all of that and more. No experience and/or government knowledge is required... Google Classroom code: bukyr6t. 

The image shows a group of people, including a woman speaking into a microphone, standing in what appears to be a library or classroom setting, with bookshelves and other furnishings visible in the background.
The image shows a group of people, some standing and some seated, in what appears to be a bookstore or library setting, with shelves of books visible in the background.
A woman with curly hair is standing in front of a large screen displaying a form, addressing an audience.
The image shows a group of people, including a man in a suit and tie, standing in what appears to be a hallway or lobby area with an American flag visible in the background.
The image shows three people, two women and one man, sitting in what appears to be a library or study area. They are dressed in professional attire and appear to be engaged in discussion or collaboration.
A person with curly hair is standing in front of a screen, holding a microphone and appearing to be giving a presentation or speech.
A group of students gathered around a large display screen, with balloons and a table set up in the background, suggesting a school or educational setting.
The image shows a group of people, some in casual attire and others in formal wear, gathered in what appears to be a library or study area. They seem to be engaged in conversation or some kind of activity, with balloons and other decorations visible in the background.
A crowded classroom setting with students and a woman in the foreground, some of whom appear to be engaged in conversation.
The image shows two people, a man and a woman, engaged in conversation in what appears to be a library or educational setting, with bookshelves and computer equipment visible in the background.
A young woman in a red sweater and black coat stands in a library setting, surrounded by bookshelves and other people.
A group of people, likely professionals or students, standing together in a library or academic setting, with bookshelves and a large arched window visible in the background.
The image shows a group of five people standing in a library or bookstore setting, with bookshelves visible in the background.
The image shows a group of people gathered around a large bell in what appears to be a library or academic setting, with bookshelves lining the walls in the background.
Two young women with dark hair are smiling and standing in front of a bookshelf filled with books.
A group of young men in formal attire, likely students, are standing in a hallway with lockers and other students visible in the background.
A group of people, both men and women, are standing together in a library or study area, with bookshelves and other library furnishings visible in the background.
A group of people, mostly young adults, gathered around a statue in an outdoor setting with trees and buildings in the background.
A young person in a gray hooded sweatshirt stands in front of a group of seated individuals, holding what appears to be a document or paper. The background features framed artwork or posters on the walls.
The image shows a group of people, likely students, gathered in a classroom setting. Two individuals are standing at the front, holding what appear to be documents or papers, while the rest of the group is seated and attentive.
Three young men, dressed in casual and formal attire, stand on a stage with a red curtain backdrop.
A group of people, both men and women, standing together on a stage with a red curtain backdrop.
Two young women are standing in a library, surrounded by bookshelves and engaged in conversation while holding books.
A group of people standing in front of a large, ornate mural depicting a map or landscape, with some individuals carrying backpacks or luggage, suggesting they may be visitors or tourists.
A classroom setting with a group of students seated in chairs, facing a presentation screen and a speaker standing at a podium.
A person in a blue suit is standing at a podium with the seal of the United States Department of Defense displayed on it, speaking into a microphone.
A young man stands at a podium with a seal of the United States government displayed on the front, speaking into a microphone against a dark background.
A large group of people, including adults and children, standing on stairs in what appears to be a public building with ornate architectural features in the background.
A courtroom setting with a judge's portrait on the wall and a group of people seated in the audience.
A group of people, likely legal professionals, gathered in a courtroom setting, with an American flag and the phrase %22In God We Trust%22 visible in the background.