County Youth Bureau celebrates Youth-in-Government Day

Goshen, N.Y. - Orange County proudly hosted the Youth-in-Government program on Friday, April 5th, just over 90 students from twelve local school districts at the County's Government Center.

The Orange County Youth Bureau and Orange/Ulster BOCES co-host Youth-in-Government Day which highlights the continued commitment and support local schools and officials have in developing young leaders from around the County.

"The youth that participate in this program each year are top notch students who will achieve great things. They are engaged and focused, curious, and confident," Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus said. "This year, they had the added excitement of dealing with an earthquake! I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent with these great young men and women, and I hope that all the students and government staff who participated had a great day. We are proud of these students and our partnership with Orange/Ulster BOCES."

Two students were assigned to the County Executive's Office as part of Friday's program. Gary Polakoff from Warwick Valley High School and Eva DeMarco from Washingtonville High School shadowed County Executive Neuhaus.

The twelve districts that participated in Youth-in-Government Day included -Cornwall, James I. O'Neill, Marlboro, Middletown, Minisink, Newburgh, Pine Bush, Port Jervis, S.S. Seward, Valley Central, Warwick, and Washingtonville. Students spent the morning shadowing representatives from 22 Orange County departments, including: Emergency Services, Health, Mental Health, Office for the Aging, Social Services, Probation, and the Youth Bureau. A few student participants were elected to positions such as County Executive, District Attorney, Sheriff, and County, Family, Supreme, and Surrogate Court Judges.

Students also debated current issues and participated in a special mock session with the Orange County Legislature at the Government Center.

"As the Orange County Youth Bureau wraps up its 45th anniversary year, it is exciting to see programs like Youth-in-Government Day going strong after so many years. We appreciate the partnership with Orange-Ulster BOCES for this exciting program that matches up students with elected County officials and representatives from County Departments," said Rachel Wilson, Orange County Youth Bureau Executive Director. "We are also thankful for our colleagues who helped provide the youth with such a positive, first-hand experience of what it is like to work in public service," Wilson added.

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 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.

Wilson encouraged students to continue exploring their interest in government by applying to the Summer Youth Government Immersion Program coordinated by the Orange County Youth Bureau. This free program provides unpaid volunteer experience that helps build work readiness skills for high school students who are current sophomores, juniors or graduating seniors. Volunteers gain real life work experience in County departments. Contact the Youth Bureau at 845-615-3620 or visit www.facebook.com/OrangeCountyYB to learn about this and many other programs serving youth and families.

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Photo caption:

County Executive Neuhaus with Gary Polakoff from Warwick Valley High School and Eva DeMarco from Washingtonville High School at the County Legislative meeting on Friday, April 5, 2024

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