NRCA Lobbyists Take the Floor: Youth and Government in Action

By Whitley Andrews, Shield Editor

More than 1,100 students filed into the doors of the Raleigh Convention Center on Thursday, Feb. 12, for the first general session of the 2026 Youth and Government (YAG) Conference. The air buzzed with excitement and nervous energy as students adjusted their lanyards and chatted with friends. Among the crowd were more than 70 delegates from NRCA.

YAG is a civic engagement program preparing high school students for leadership. Delegates write and debate bills, participate in a Mock Trial and Court of Appeals, and run for office. 

“I heard that the conference was so fun and that you learn a lot of things, so I decided to join in,” said sophomore Presley Ray. She applied to be a lobbyist. 

Ray and junior Lia Foster took on the role of lobbyists during the conference. They prepared six speeches, speaking in favor of or in opposition to bills being presented. NRCA students Whitley Andrews, Lily Burnette, Kennedy Compton, Max Driggs, Mallory Jacobs, Reed Kessler, and Austin Moon were also among the lobbyists at the conference.

“I loved hearing all the bills and almost debating them in the con-pro debate,” said Ray. Con-pro debate takes place after the lobbyists’ speeches and before the bill-authors’ closing summation and allows delegates to state their opinion on the bill before voting. 

Bills ranged in topic from free golf tee times to raising indigency thresholds. Foster said her favorite bill that she lobbied for was one “to make the strawberry açaí drink, the state drink…We had a lot of fun.”

Days were busy with committee and chamber meetings, and evenings brought fun events. During the decades-themed Friday Fun Night, delegates came dressed in outfits inspired by their favorite eras, from disco to the 2000s. They enjoyed dinner and dancing on Saturday night for the 34th Annual NC Governor’s Gala. “My favorite part was probably the Gov Gala and meeting new people,” said Ray.  

Foster led a group of freshmen delegates in writing and preparing their bills for presentations. She said her favorite part of the conference was “getting to see the freshmen I was leading do well and experience [conference] for the first time.”

YAG proved to be an impactful learning experience for every delegate, allowing for growth in both public speaking and leadership skills. “I learned that I can also advocate for myself because when there were some issues with the lobbyists, I was able to bring that issue up, and we all were helped,” said Foster. 

The weekend emphasized the importance of civic engagement and the power of speaking up. “I learned that every voice matters,” said Ray. “To have a successful democracy, we have to have different opinions.”

NRCA’s delegation had an outstanding showing at the 2026 Youth and Government Conference. NRCA senior Josh Brown, the 34th Youth Governor and ninth Knight to serve in the position, led the conference. Senate Bill 105, written by Elyse Picard and Veronica Bodenheimer, and Senate Bill 80, written by Megan McCurdy, Harrison Boyd, and Lauren Porter, were signed into YAG law. Conner McCoy earned Model House Representative, and Baylor Howard and Owen Keller won Model Court of Appeals Attorneys. In addition, NRCA history teacher Mrs. Melissa Bailey was awarded YAG Advisor of the Year.