April 2026
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Each year, in the early months, hundreds of middle and high school students from across Texas gather for the YMCA Texas Youth and Government conferences to debate legislation they have spent months researching, drafting, and refining. These young people—representing communities and backgrounds as diverse as our state itself—arrive prepared to advocate for ideas they believe will make government more effective, equitable, and responsive. It is an extraordinary display of civic engagement, and one that reflects a vibrant future for our democracy.
I have had the privilege of volunteering at multiple Youth and Government conferences over the years, and each time I walk away inspired. These students are earnest, fearless, and deeply curious about how our institutions function. Their passion reminds me of how many of us first discovered our own interest in the law—through debate teams, student government, or civic education programs. I still remember the topic from my freshman year debate season: the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the early 2000s. Those early experiences shaped the advocate I would become, just as Youth and Government is shaping the next generation.
Programs like YMCA Youth and Government matter—not only because they introduce young people to the mechanics of government, but because they create a pipeline for a more diverse and inclusive legal profession. The program’s stated purpose is “to develop young men and women who will be better citizens by being both knowledgeable and active in determining the future of our democracy.” In practice, this means giving students substantive, hands-on opportunities to learn how government works, how laws are made, and how advocacy can drive change.
One of the most remarkable strengths of the Texas Youth and Government program is its diversity. Anyone can participate, and the program has long worked to ensure the program is accessible to youth from all backgrounds—urban and rural, economically advantaged and disadvantaged, first generation students, and students whose families have long histories in civic life. If you have ever spent time with the students practicing or seen one of these conferences firsthand, you know that the delegates represent the broad diversity of Texas.
I am writing this article to encourage our local bar members to consider judging a shift at a conference, assisting with practice sessions at a local school, or exploring how you can support the program year-round. These students commit countless hours to researching, drafting legislation, collaborating with peers, preparing arguments, and developing the critical thinking and communication skills that will serve them for life. For many of them, this program is their first real exposure to the legal system—and often the first moment they can picture themselves having a role in it.
Our participation matters. When students see attorneys, judges, and legal professionals present, listening, and taking their ideas seriously, it affirms that their voices count. It shows them that civic leadership is accessible to everyone—not just those who already know someone in the profession. And for those of us committed to the future of a fair and representative bar, there is no better investment than supporting young people as they learn how to engage with democracy.
By volunteering with YMCA Texas Youth and Government, we help ensure that this program—and the extraordinary opportunities it provides—remains available to future generations.
If we want a legal community that reflects the communities we serve, if we want citizens who are informed and empowered, and if we want a democracy strengthened by participation rather than weakened by indifference, then supporting programs like this is not optional. It is essential.
To learn more about how you can contribute, volunteer, or support the YMCA Texas Youth and Government Program, visit:
https://ymcatexasyg.org/.