Thirty-seven students from Westfield High School’s Youth and Government (YAG) Club participated in the 81st Annual New Jersey Youth and Government Conference, held April 25-27 at the Hilton East Brunswick. The three-day event welcomed 400 students from more than 20 high schools across the state, offering a hands-on opportunity to experience the legislative, executive, and judicial functions of state government.
The WHS YAG Club, with advisors David Della Fera and Daniel Farabaugh, was recognized with the prestigious Premier Delegation Award, a testament to the students’ hard work and engagement throughout the conference.
Several WHS students earned individual honors:
Gabriela Castillo, Michael Fisher, Tegan Hegarty, and Rachel Werner successfully passed their bills into law.
Jakob Kofsky received the Outstanding Advocate Award.
Zoe Urbano was honored with the award for Outstanding Statesperson.
Carson Donnelly and Mahie Panjwani were selected to represent New Jersey at the upcoming Conference on National Affairs in North Carolina this summer.
The New Jersey Youth and Government Conference provides students with an immersive civics education experience, allowing them to develop leadership, public speaking, and policy-making skills while simulating real-world governance.