CLARKSVILLE, TN – Clarksville Academy sent 20 students and two chaperones to Nashville to participate in the annual YMCA Youth in Government conference. CA has always had a big showing at this conference, and this year was no exception.

Prior to the conference, students spend weeks preparing. Each student team (two to three students per team) work to research and prepare a comprehensive bill to present before student peers from all over the state. Bills must include a budget as well. Student bills cover a wide range of social issues such as healthcare, children’s services, and homelessness. Students stand on the floor of the House or Senate and present their bills. After presenting the bill, the student audience members are invited to debate its merits. It then goes up for a vote.

“This is a big task for our students, and we are so proud of their work, performance, and representation of CA,” said Sally Allen.

Notable highlights:

  • Caroline Johnston served as the Red Senate floor leader.
  • Selby Shipley and Hailey Ray served as associate justices of the Supreme Court.
  • Theresa Schwartz served as the clerk of the Supreme Court.
  • Isabella Allen served on the Governor’s Cabinet as Children’s Services Department chair.
  • Katie Thrash and Molly Clark’s bill was signed into law.
  • Caroline Johnston’s bill was signed into law.
  • Noah Goble and Brylie Sykes’ bill passed in the House and was endorsed by the governor.
  • Abby Powers and Tanner Wilson’s bill passed in the House.
  • Ashlynn York and Rachel Austin’s bill passed in the Senate.
  • Makenzie Clyde’s bill passed in the Senate.
  • Huiyoun Pyo and Ben Giles won the final case in the Supreme Court.
  • Emily Nguyen and Trinity Wilson won both of their cases in the Supreme Court.
  • Caroline Johnston is an alternate for CONA (Conference of National Affairs).
  • Nadia Wade and Liya Patel wrote multiple articles and were official photographers in the press corps.

The following students were elected to leadership positions for the 2023 Youth In Government Conference.

  • Ben Giles and Emily Nguyen – Associate Justices
  • Huiyoun Pyo – Solicitor General
  • Theresa Schwartz – Clerk of the Court

“We couldn’t be more impressed by this group of students and the way they represented CA at this prestigious conference,” Allen said.