Bayside Academy students made a powerful impression at the 76th Youth Legislature Conference in Montgomery, bringing home multiple honors and setting new records.

The delegation of 25 students spent their Mardi Gras break drafting and debating bills with peers from across Alabama, aiming to get their proposals passed and signed into law by the Youth Governor.

A record number of Bayside freshmen succeeded in the First-Year Chamber, where their bills were approved. Those students included Braxton Bender, Huan Chen, Arabella Rowland, Emerson Gwin, Ward Hix, Zoë Langley, Hugh Ashurst, Joey Dorman and Pedro Benassi Monegatto. Monegatto also gained leadership experience by serving as an officer for the First-Year Chamber.

Several Bayside students faced challenges to the constitutionality of their bills, forcing them to argue their cases before the Supreme Court. Sophomores Dori Small and Amber Clemens, along with freshman Sims Goodrich, each emerged victorious. Goodrich delivered a particularly commanding performance, winning 13-0 in what organizers described as a constitutional smack-down.

Freshmen Burke Ramagosa, Arabella Rowland and Braxton Bender were named among the outstanding First-Year delegates, with Bender winning Best Bill. In another conference record, Bayside had six students whose bills were signed into law: Bender, Rowland, Dorman, Gwin, Hix and Monegatto.

Two seniors earned coveted spots at the YMCA Conference on National Affairs (CONA) in North Carolina this summer. Jacob Stallworth, who served as the House clerk, won the Servant Leadership Award, given to the student who exemplifies leadership, service, and faith. Abby Schoensiegel was recognized as one of the top 25 delegates at the conference. Stallworth and Schoensiegel will join students from 33 states to debate and discuss federal issues facing the nation.

Bayside Academy, located in Daphne, is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school serving students in grades PK3-12. Learn more at www.baysideacademy.org.