Orange County celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Youth-in-Government Program in April with students from 11 local school districts. Cornwall and O’Neill were among the high schools participating in the event at the Orange County Government Center.
Students elected to the County Legislature used their debating skills to participate in a mock legislative session in the chambers, and then watched an actual legislative session. The day concluded with a luncheon where students had informal discussions with District Attorney David Hoovler, County Legislators and other County officials.
Youth-in-Government Day is a part of the Youth-In-Government Program coordinated by Orange/Ulster BOCES in partnership with schools throughout the county. The program provides students with the opportunity to learn firsthand about the democratic process and encourages students to become active participants in government, particularly county government. Orange County’s current Youth-In-Government Program was inspired in the early 1940s by Orange County resident and Congresswoman Katherine St. George who felt that people were well acquainted with national politics but lacked understanding of how their local town and county governments functioned.
