2026 Alabama Youth Legislature Conference

by: Kaleigh Soto, class of 2027

At the end of February, Saint James high school students participated in a weekend of exciting debate at the 2026 Alabama Youth Legislature Conference. The YMCA Youth Legislature Program aims to educate students about our state legislature through hands-on experience debating in the First Year, House, and Senate Chambers. In order to prepare for this conference, students wrote bills on real controversies and issues in Alabama. High schoolers from across the state traveled to downtown Montgomery to debate their bills in our very own Alabama Statehouse. The bills selected to be put on the docket in committees were then debated. By writing bills, learning procedures, and debating in chambers, students received the opportunity to take an in depth look at the Alabama Legislature.

Saint James student Aden Brinkman

After the final bill was presented and the house floor leader motioned to end debate, the annual Governor’s Ball commences and everyone gets to have fun and socialize after the long weekend. Students were also given the opportunity to be leaders at the state level through officer positions. The following students were officers at this year’s conference:

  • Heesoo Cho- House Sergeant at Arms

  • Aden Brinkman- Senate Secretary

  • Kevin Hwang- Supreme Court Justice

  • Kaleigh Soto- Governor’s Cabinet

  • Mary Ellis Killough- Governor’s Cabinet

  • Micheal Phan- Governor’s Cabinet

Award recipients Kevin Hwang, Heesoo Cho, and MaryEllis Killough

Awards are given to select students who represented the YMCA core values and displayed outstanding debate skills. A special congratulations to those who won awards this conference:

  • Heesoo Cho- House of Representatives Best Statesman, CONA bid

  • Mary Ellis Killough- CONA bid

  • Jamison Cantrell- First Year Chamber Outstanding Statesman

  • Kevin Hwang- Alternative CONA bid

From compelling debate in the chambers to the annual Governor’s Ball, students connected with countless others from the state of Alabama who shared their love for learning about our government. For more information about how you can be involved in the Youth in Government program, see Mr. Polling and Mrs. Hughes! #wearesaintjamesschool