Youth Government - Cherokee County Career and Technology Center

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FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

ALL YOUTH GOV MEMBERS ARE ELIGIBLE TO REQUEST FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE YMCA for any conference or event inlcuding, bur not limited to, Junior & Senior Youth Legislature, Youth Judicial, Officer Training, CONA, National Judicial Conference/

CLICK HERE for the Financial Assistance Application- Turn in directly to the YMCA according to the instructions on the form OR you may turn it in to your club advisor who will send it in for you. Either way,IT WILL NOT BE PROCESSED WITHOUT THE REQUESTED DOCUMENTS. This is for scholarships provided by the YMCA.

SENIOR YOUTH JUDICIAL MOCK TRIAL PROGRAM (GRADES 9-12)

gavel on wooden block with American Flag background

The Alabama YMCA Youth Judicial Program is a three-day mock trial competition for high school students, part of the larger YMCA Youth in Government (YIG) program, where participants assume the roles of attorneys, witnesses, plaintiffs, defendants, and judges to experience the judicial process firsthand. Students form teams to prepare and argue either a civil or criminal case, developing skills in critical thinking, leadership, and communication while gaining an understanding of case law and the court system. Key Aspects of the Program

Mock Trials: Students work in teams to present pre-selected cases, arguing both the defense and plaintiff side of a real court case that has been modified for mock trial.
Role-Playing: Participants take on various roles, including attorneys, witnesses, judges, and bailiffs, learning about the legal system from different perspectives.
Skill Development: The program helps teens develop critical thinking, communication skills, and an understanding of democracy.
Hands-On Experience: Students receive practical, hands-on legal experience by preparing for and conducting mock trials.
Competition: Mock trial teams compete in regional and state-level conferences, with top-performing teams advancing to national competitions.
YMCA Youth-in-Government: Youth Judicial is one of several YIG programs in Alabama, alongside Youth Legislature, which simulates the legislative process.

How to Get Involved

Join the Youth-in-Government Club in Cherokee County: Students from any Cherokee County, Alabama public school may participate. Contact Anita Nation for more information.

2025 Youth Judicial Regional Mock Trial Competition

Congratulations to the 2025 Youth Judicial Teams for an outstanding performance at the Northeast Alabama Regional Competition

AWARDS

Outstanding Judge: Reagan Tallent

Outstanding Witness: Kaitlyn Mertel

Outstanding Attorney: Cara Brooks

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TEAM

Cara Brooks, Captain/Attorney

Makenzie Mertel, Attorney

Anthony Gaidurgis, Attorney

Kaitly Mertel, Witness

Lilly Mitchell, Witness

Sam Gann, Witness

Addison Hunter, Witness

JUDGES

Reagan Tallent

Ava Hammett

BAILIFFS

Precious Clanton

Isabella Segura

JUNIOR YOUTH LEGISLATURE

STUDENTS PRESENT THEIR BILL IN FRONT OF THE STUDENT BODY

SIGN UP NOW! EMAIL ANATION@CHEROKEEK12.ORG

At the Junior Youth Legislature, middle school students are encouraged to step outside of their comfort zone, meet new people, try new things, and keep an open mind as they experience the legislative process firsthand through activities which include officer elections as well as workshops on bill writing and parliamentary procedure. Participants will also join with others to come up with their own legislation (a bill). Selected bills will then be presented by the authors and debated as part of a mock legislative session.

Junior Youth Legislature also serves as an introduction to the much larger, student-led, High School conference which is a 3-night, 4-day full model legislature held at the Capitol Building in Montgomery.

The Youth-in-Government program provides students with a unique opportunity to be part of a community—one that promotes understanding of the challenges individuals face, acceptance of defeat without discouragement, and tolerance towards points of view different than their own. This sense of community and deep friendships will last a lifetime, impacting not only their individual lives but also the lives of the people around them.