By Ellie Lanier
Giulia Cassino
Giulia Cassino, a sophomore at North Raleigh Christian Academy, is running to be your next Speaker of the House because she cares deeply about this program and wants to create a loving environment at YAG where everyone is respected and accepted. As a member of the Varsity girls Basketball team, a leader of freshman forum for her delegation, and the 9th grade class president last year, Cassino has experience being a leader and plans to guide with humility, inspire with vision, and serve with commitment. As Speaker of the House, she will make everyone feel heard, valued, and like they belong. She also, if elected, plans to broaden program outreach through increasing financial aid and expanding the program to more schools across the state. Cassino’s goal is to create a YAG where no one is invisible and everyone leads with love, builds each other up, and has the chance to thrive.
By Shir Inbari
Ella Garner
A sophomore at West Carteret High School, Ella Garner is passionate about making YAG a fun experience where everyone feels valued and supported. Living with type 1 diabetes since she was 15 months old, Ella has learned resilience and determination, giving back to her community through organizing diabetic supply events. To Ella, leadership isn't about titles or standing behind a podium— it’s about making a difference. She lives by the quote “Faith over Fear”, trusting herself even when her knees shake and her voice waivers. “I’d be honored to be your speaker of the house, and I promise to give it everything I got” said Ella.
By Kate Krouse
Student council president and student delegation leader at her school, Alexis Roth from the YMCA of the Greater Charlotte is up for the task of fulfilling the role of next year’s Speaker of the House. Roth has not only dedicated her high school career to pursuing this position, but she has also honed her leadership skills. For the past two years, she has held a position as a clerk at YAG, and now she’s eager to leverage her communication skills to help YAG reach its highest potential. After YAG last year, Roth created a student council at her school and attended the PGA Superstore Leadership Summit Training, where she learned immense leadership skills and was unanimously decided to be given a scholarship as they saw how committed to growth she was. Remember to vote for your candidates before 1:30 today, and you “can’t miss with Alexis!”
By Sammey Malik
Reflecting on a time when she once stepped into a room full of unfamiliar faces, Marihya Smith pledged to make that environment less daunting for others if chosen as your next Speaker of The House. She attends the Early College of Forsyth, and this is her second year at YAG. She has extensive leadership experience through participating in GOTV programs and the club she founded, where she leads and organizes meetings. Her main goal is to make the House more welcoming and energetic. She wants to give back to the program that shaped her self-confidence and taught her the power of youth voices. To Smith, being Speaker is about balance: bringing energy to the chambers while fostering a lively and efficient environment where everyone feels encouraged to participate. She promises to advocate for you, declaring, “I want to be a speaker of your concerns, the body of the unheard soul.” She asks you to trust and believe in all of our shared visions: productivity, debate, and enthusiasm.
By Emma Smith
Andy Lin, a sophomore at Early College of Forsyth, wants to turn “I” into “WE” as your next 2026 Speaker of the House. Lin believes leadership is all about the small everyday actions and that the best ideas don't come from any single chamber but from ALL of us. By working to listen more than speaking, he will amplify the power of the ‘ordinary’ people within legislative to have their needs, wants, and even dreams reflected. As Speaker of the House, Lin will lead with accountability, humility and prioritize communication and collaboration. As the developer of an award-winning AI app called Agri-Health, Lin knows all about finding and seizing opportunity because he understands that change is not only inevitable but necessary. Vote Andy Lin for your 2026 Speaker of the House!