Orange County Executive Neuhaus Helps Celebrate Youth-in-Government Day

From Orange County:

Goshen, N.Y. – Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus helped celebrate the 71st annual Youth-in-Government Day on Friday, April 8 with students from 10 local school districts at the County’s Emergency Services Center.

The Orange County Youth Bureau and Orange/Ulster BOCES hosted the event, which highlighted the continued dedication and support that our local schools and officials have for the future leaders of this country.

“It was a pleasure to have an opportunity to spend time with and get to know some of the students,” Neuhuas said. “They are a bright group of young men and women and they all have bright futures ahead of them. It was encouraging to see the connection between the students and Orange County representatives. I’d like to see even more school districts get involved.

Ten school districts from Orange County participated in Youth-in-Government Day – Chester, S.S. Seward, Middletown, Newburgh, Cornwall, James I. O’Neill, Minisink Valley, Valley Central, Washingtonville and Warwick. Students spent much of the morning shadowing representatives from Orange County’s 24 departments, including the Airport, Office for the Aging, Social Services and the Youth Bureau. Some students who participated were elected to positions such as County Executive, Sheriff and Family Court Judges.

Students elected to the positions of County Legislators were able to use their debating skills and participate in a mock legislative session. From there, they watched a real Orange County legislative session in the County’s Emergency Services Auditorium in Goshen. The day concluded with a luncheon at the Holiday Inn in the Town of Wallkill, where students had informal discussions with Neuhaus, District Attorney David Hoovler, County Legislators and other County officials.

“This year’s group of students stood out as such a professional group of young people,” said Rachel Wilson, Director of Orange County’s Youth Bureau. “They not only dressed to impress, but actively participated in the different activities during the day. We are all proud of them and know that they have bright futures.”

Wilson encouraged students to continue exploring their interest in government by applying to the Orange County Summer Youth Internship Program. Coordinated by the Orange County Youth Bureau, this program provides unpaid work experience to high school students who are sophomores, juniors or graduating seniors. Volunteers have the opportunity to gain work experience in a variety of county departments. Students can contact the Youth Bureau at 845.615.3620 about this and many other programs serving youth and families.

For more information, contact Justin Rodriguez, Assistant to the County Executive for Communications and Media Relations at 845.291.3255 or jrodriguez@orangecountygov.com.

Photo: (From left to right): Tiffany Niles, Orange County Youth Bureau Program Technician; Emma Meier, S.S. Seward Institute; Alexander Fiore, Greenwood Lake School District; Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus; Kels Jensen, Washingtonville High School; Hayley Jensen, Washingtonville High School; Rachel Wilson, Orange County Youth Bureau Director.