Bayside Students Win Big at Youth Legislature

Students created and wrote bills to debate with fellow students from across the state in hopes of getting them passed and signed into law by the Youth Governor. Bayside had a record number of students whose bills were passed in the First-Year Chamber, including freshmen Braxton Bender, Huan Chen, Arabella Rowland, Emerson Gwin, Ward Hix, Zoë Langley, Hugh Ashurst, Joey Dorman, and Pedro Benassi Monegatto. Additionally, Pedro gained valuable leadership experience by serving as an officer for the First-Year Chamber.

 

Several Bayside students had the constitutionality of their bills challenged and were summoned to argue in front of the Supreme Court. Sophomores Dori Small and Amber Clemens and freshman Sims Goodrich each successfully argued before the high court, winning their cases by large margins with Sims winning 13-0 in a constitutional smack-down. Freshmen Burke Ramagosa, Arabella Rowland, and Braxton Bender were named among the outstanding First-Year delegates, with Braxton winning Best Bill. Finally, again breaking a Youth Legislature record, Bayside had six students whose bills were signed into law, including Braxton, Arabella, Joey, Emerson, Ward, and Pedro.

 

Two seniors earned spots at the YMCA Conference of National Affairs (CONA) in North Carolina this summer. Jacob Stallworth, who served as the House clerk, earned his spot at CONA by winning the Servant Leadership Award, given to the student who has demonstrated values of leadership, service, and faith, while Abby Schoensiegel was recognized as one of the top 25 delegates at Youth Legislature. Jacob and Abby will have the opportunity to debate and discuss federal issues facing the United States with students from 33 states across America. Most importantly, all 25 students were excellent representatives of Bayside Academy, having a blast in the democratic process.