YOUTH & GOVERNMENT (YAG)

Youth and Government (YAG) is a statewide educational program that prepares youth for responsible leadership in the American democratic process. This model government program is a student-driven simulation of State government and political activities, which involves over 1,000 Missouri youth in grades 8-12.

At the YAG State Convention, students create their version of a legislative session under the guidelines of the Missouri Constitution. YAG participants in Missouri come together for a three-day event at the State Capitol in Jefferson City, MO. Legislators meet in committees and in the House and Senate Chambers to debate legislations. Attorneys will try their cases before student judges and engage in mock trial competitions. A student-led newspaper covers the entire event and includes a television program that airs several times a day. Participants engage in campaigns and elections for offices which they will serve the following year.

All 8th-12th graders are welcome to participate.

Advisors include: Brooke Oliver, Leslie Nichols, Julie Duncan, Vanessa Lamb, Matt Robnett, and Brendan Webber.

For more information visit www.moyag.org

Parent Meetings

• September 3, 2025
• Required for first time participants.  All parents welcome.
• 6:00PM in the Y Café
• November 9- Mandatory Parent Meeting/Conference Overview
• 3:00PM in the Y Café

Practices 1PM-2PM in the Y Café

High Schoolers Only

• September 14-Bill Ideas
• September 28-Bill Research & Writing
• October 5-Bill Writing & Submission
• October 26-Practice Debates

Other Due Dates

• September 18
• Registration Forms Due
• Registration Fee Due
• Scholarship Applications Due Online moyag.org
• Program Leadership Applications due Online moyag.org
• October 10
• Conference Registration Fees Due to Mexico YMCA
• Legislative Bills & Candidate Filings due Online moyag.org
• October 31
• Total Fee must be aid in full by this date or you will not be able to attend the conference.

Conference

• November 13-15, 2025
• Bus leaves Mexico YMCA November 13th at 10:30AM
• Conference ends November 15th at 12:00PM
• Bus will return to Mexico YMCA November 15th around 2:00PM