Pleasanton’s Youth in Government Day is an annual collaborative event between Pleasanton officials and students from Pleasanton high schools. It allows students to experience how the government operates and shadow city staff and officials.
¨I want to learn more about Pleasanton’s government and kind of the entire process in a small town to become more connected, and I think if everyone learns a little bit about their governments and the places that they live, they can have a bigger impact [on our world],” says Idramim Kizilogu (‘26).
Why Youth In Government Day Exists
The Youth In Government program offers opportunities to learn about government in Pleasanton and how our city operates. Their agenda begins with breakfast and introductions. Then, high school students shadow city officials, attend a career luncheon, and participate in a mock City Council meeting.
“My knowledge to engage the youth of our community so they understand what government is all about. And how to become engaged in government,” says Pleasanton Chairman Craig Eicher.
The Youth in Government program also helps students who are interested in government or are considering seeking a career in law enforcement or another government organization. The program gives these students the opportunity to shadow professionals who have been working in these fields for many years. It gives students a glimpse of whether they want to pursue this career and teaches them the responsibilities of government employees.
“I think it’ll really show what jobs are and really influence people to strive to a certain goal or path in life because a lot of this is mostly just political, device, and just really up people’s feet of power,” says Nate Leider (‘28).
The Appeal of Youth in Government Day
Anyone who joins Youth In Government can benefit greatly and learn more about how our city operates. All backgrounds are welcome, so anyone can join the program and enjoy learning about Pleasanton’s government.
“It’s a great introduction to what your city does and how it works, and lets you get really into more detailed conversations and scenarios with really experienced people in various parts of the local government. [I want everyone to know] thanks for coming out today. It’s a really positive date for all of our city employees, supervisor fate. We look forward to it every year. Thanks for being here. Thank you so much,” says City Manager, Gerry Beaudin.
