Dripping Springs High School qualified eight students for the 2025 Texas Youth and Government State Conference after competing at the Austin District Conference on Saturday, November 16.
Six students qualified in the Judicial section: Danica Best (Judge), Anvika Jain (Attorney), Abir Kulkarni (Attorney), Ava Crane (Witness), Luci Gomez (Witness) and Jenna Hall (Witness). The Judicial section allows students to participate in a mock trial setting.
Rebeca Avalos Oviedo was named a state qualifier in the Legislative (Senate) section. In this section, participants identify issues for legislation, bill writing, debating, bill presentation and participation in a legislative body.
Lastly, Elise Kellogg qualified in the Media Section where students gain real-life experience in journalism through the publication of a newspaper, social media content, and a news broadcast.
The Texas Youth and Government State Conference will be held Feb. 27 - March 2 at the Kalahari Resort in Round Rock.
Youth and Government is a national program of the YMCA that involves more than 50,000 students nationwide in state-organized, model-government programs. Students can immerse themselves in experiential civic engagement debate issues that affect citizens in their state and even propose legislation.
YOUTH AND GOVERNMENT STATE QUALIFIERS
Judicial Team
Attorneys: Anvika Jain, Abir Kulkarni
Witnesses: Jenna Hall, Luci Gomez, Ava Crane
Legislation (Senate)
Rebeca Avalos Oviedo
Media
Elise Kellogg
Mock Trial Judge
Danica Best