Cranford’s newly-revived Youth and Government program went on to excel at the 2026 YAG Conference, signaling a bright future for the young organization.
From April 24-26, eleven CHS students attended the 88th annual New Jersey YMCA Youth and Government conference. These dedicated participants competed against roughly 450 other NJ students from 20 other delegations — the largest conference in a decade. During the three-day simulation, delegates gained hands-on experience with political discussions and the legislative process.
After being disbanded due to lack of involvement in the 2023-2024 season, CHS senior and YAG Legislative Officer Shane Kennedy worked to reconnect returning and newly interested students, ultimately achievig success in revitalizing the program. To prepare for the conference, CHS students wrote and co-sponsored a series of bills attempting to reform a significant problem in New Jersey. While Shane Kennedy oversaw and facilitated debate in his assembly, CHS’s other participants individually attended various chambers, discussing other delegates’ bills while fiercely promoting their own over the course of two days.
And their hard work clearly paid off. Despite its relatively small size and recent re-establishment, Cranford earned the Outstanding Delegation Award, recognizing the entire team for their high-level performance, thoughtful debate, and compelling legislation. Additionally, within the larger program, numerous individual CHS students were celebrated for their contributions. The bills of CHS junior Dishi Musidipalli and CHS freshman Grace Curtin passed through every chamber they entered, eventually reaching and gaining approval from the final decider, the Governor’s Cabinet. This accomplishment earned the two the Passed Legislation Award. Furthermore, CHS freshman Dahlia Yuscavage received the Outstanding Legislation Award, applauding her for a visionary bill idea surrounding health care premiums. CHS junior Bobby Kelly was elected as Legislative Officer for his senate, to represent Cranford on the state level and assist in future NJ YAG programs. Bobby was also selected as a delegate for CONA (Conference on National Affairs), a week-long national summer conference for Youth and Government’s top participants from across the country, sponsored by the YMCA and held in North Carolina. Dishi Musidipalli and Shane Kennedy were selected as CONA alternates, an honor that is in itself a notable achievement.
The 2026 NJ YAG conference proved to be revolutionary for Cranford, with the entire delegation lauded and recognized for their efforts. While Cranford YAG is currently hosted through the local YMCA, participants hope that their clear demonstrations of success and dedication will convince CHS itself to eventually house the program. As Cranford proceeds to CONA, the entire delegation celebrates their accomplishments with pride, waiting for the promising future of what Cranford will achieve next.
