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Fridley students showcase Youth in Government achievements to board
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Summary
Fridley High School students and adviser Steve LeCoultz described Youth in Government activities, leadership roles and awards; students reported large delegation size, statewide officer elections, and benefits for leadership and public speaking skills.
Students from Fridley's Youth in Government program addressed the school board on Feb. 17 to describe their program and recent accomplishments.
Adviser Steve LeCoultz and student leaders including Sophia Goode, Amira Hussain and Eleanor Anna outlined YIG's structure — mock legislatures, courts, lobbyists and media — and regional and national opportunities. "I'm a junior, and I am the president of our Fridley Club as well as the upcoming secretary of state for youth and government," Sophia Goode said.
Students noted Fridley fielded roughly 81 delegates, making it one of the larger delegations in the state. The group reported several individual honors: Vivian Neely's bill was named best bill; Sophia Goode was elected to a statewide office and selected for the national conference; Malik Ba was elected speaker of the house at the statewide level; and Eleanor was elected lower‑house speaker for ninth and tenth grades.
Board members and staff thanked students and program supporters, including the Fridley Lions Club and the YMCA, which runs YIG programming in Minnesota. Several board members offered follow‑up engagement and mentorship opportunities; a community member who identified herself as Paula (a longtime lobbyist) offered students the chance to shadow legislators and "sit in on the committee" to learn legislative work.
The board noted its appreciation for the program's long history in the district and the role it plays in student leadership development. The students left the meeting after a brief question period; the board encouraged staff to add alumni stories to district outreach materials.
