The 2026 Youth and Government General Assembly was held in Springfield, IL March 19-21.
18 Students from MVTHS joined more than 900 other students from across the state to participate in a mock Illinois Government.
Chelsie Horner and Xander Ashby presented a bill increasing the punishment for those convicted of grooming minors.
Their bill was the first out of committee, through the House and the Senate, and the first bill signed by Youth Governor Claire Gulley of Sesser.
Truman Carnine and Silas Stachyra's bill on releasing police body cam footage moved through committee and the House before the Session ended.
Logan Armstrong, Eli Prost and Alistair Clodi's bill requiring a supermajority vote on legislative redistricting faced tough opposition in the House of Representatives. The bill was killed but the group worked hard to have it reconsidered and eventually were able to get enough votes to pass the House.
Luci Owens and Callyssa Gilbert participated as Lobbyists. Cheryl Carr served as Clerk of the House. Alex Prost, Isaiah Cochrane, Mia Thompson, August Tinsley, Josie Colle, Harlow Kujawa, Grady Tynes and Max Rinehart all participated as Legislative Assistants. August Tinsley completed the highest round forum proposal debates among the Legislative Assistants. Students were accompanied to Springfield by Advisors Jessica Pilson and Hunter Shirley.
