Local teens chosen for YMCA youth government program

GREEN MACHINE- Wearing their matching Triunfo jackets, these area teens are among the more than 2,300 students who will participate in the YMCA's model legislature in Sacramento this weekend.

Local teens will act as officers and hold key positions at the 60th Annual California YMCA Model Legislature/Court, part of the YMCA's Youth and Government program. The conference is from Feb. 15 through 17 in Sacramento.

For nine months prior to the conference, more than 2,300 California teens meet at 80 YMCAs to learn about state government and discuss the issues facing California. During this time, they write bills, select governmental positions to roleplay in Sacramento, attend statewide training conferences and run for elected offices.

At the YMCA Model Legislature/Court this weekend the teens use state capitol conference rooms to hold mock hearings in which they debate the merits of bills brought before the legislature.

Teens elected or appointed to official positions from the Triunfo YMCA in Agoura Hills are Nikki Benzimira, attorney general; Gabrielle Cherney, secretary of the senate; Casey Gerber, national issues committee presiding commissioner; Vinny Haskin, committee chair; Shadee Ashtari, newspaper editor; and Laureen Keba, magazine artist.

From the Conejo and Miller Family YMCAs: Lindsey Dooner, speaker of the assembly; Xavier Volgenau, an attorney to the Supreme Court justice; Jesse Rueckert, top three finalist for the 61st annual youth governor; Caitlin Johnson, Ashley Cordero, Chelsey Pasley, legislative committee chairs; Melissa Demyan, jury trial program participant; Jared Graham, judicial review; Mikey McGuire, Supreme Court program; Kailey Wagner, Supreme Court justice; and Sarah Thiele, special investigative panel chair.

From the Simi Valley Family YMCA: Sandy Quiring, Kelsey Krasnigor and Courtney Bennett, legislative committee chairs.

"It's a testament to your community and our local youth that we have so many teens participating at such high levels at the conference," said Veronica Rodarte, program director at the Triunfo YMCA.