Canton Youth Serves As Court Justice at Youth in Government Conference

Jonathan Shea of Canton, a sophomore at Boston College High School, for three days in March served as Court Justice at the Youth in Government annual conference at the State House in Boston.

This year’s conference was especially memorable as three statewide leadership positions were held by Boston College High School seniors. Ryan Miller of Quincy, David Coletti of Quincy, and Evan Maras of Bridgewater were elected by their peers at last year’s conference to serve this 2013 year as the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General for the entire Commonwealth. This is the first time in the program’s history in which all three major leadership positions have been held by students from the same high school delegation.

Massachusetts Youth in Government is a YMCA led program that gives hundreds of teenagers across the Commonwealth the opportunity to serve in a legislative simulation of what our representatives do within the state government. Each Spring delegates from dozens of high schools gather in Boston for a weekend overnight conference. The day sessions are held in the actual chambers and committee rooms of the State House and everyone at the conference stays the weekend at the Historic Omni Parker hotel. 

Shea served in the Judicial branch as an associate justice. Judicial delegates learn the fundamentals of court cases and that all are based in supposed violations of people's constitutional rights.

Under the program’s motto, “Democracy must be learned by each generation,” high school students learn first hand that every person can make a difference. The exciting memorable experience inspires young people to become active citizens in the community and leaders of not tomorrow, but today.

“Youth In Government,” says Miller “is an incredible opportunity to see how state government works and forge lasting friendships with peers from across the Commonwealth. Participants have opportunities to develop skills, make friends and learn how they can make a difference.”

Boston College High School is a Jesuit, Catholic, college-preparatory school for young men founded in 1863.  The school enrolls approximately 1600 students from more than 100 communities in eastern Massachusetts. For more http://www.bchigh.edu