Published: 02/23/2026 - 9:00 AM
When Zachary Cardwell, now 19, first walked into the YMCA’s Association Office as a Cristo Rey High School junior, he had no grand ambitions. He’d simply been assigned there for the semester. When NextGen staff approached him about participating in Youth and Government (YAG), he was honest: “I’m not big on government and politics.” But when a friend agreed to participate, Zach figured, why not?
As a mock delegate, he authored a bill to create bike parks in Philadelphia—a topic inspired by his father’s engineering work and the city’s vibrant bike culture. He faced heavy skepticism from rural delegates who couldn’t grasp why dedicated bike spaces mattered. But Zach pressed on, explaining how bikes are a path to freedom for many in Philadelphia. His bill passed—a victory even he was surprised by.
The experience proved life-changing. “The biggest thing I’ve gained is confidence in speaking,” Zach reflects. “When you’re in the state capitol, there’s about 100 kids in the room with you. If you can get comfortable speaking there, it gets easier and easier.”
When asked what the Y means to him, Zach’s answer is immediate: “Community and growth.” He speaks from experience, having come to the Y since he was little—swim lessons at Roxborough, summer camps, the swim team. The Y has always been part of his life.
Looking back at his 16-year-old self, Zach sees dramatic change: “What changed between 16-year-old and 19-year-old Zach is definitely leadership, self-advocacy, and public speaking.”
His performance earned him a spot at the Conference on National Affairs—the prestigious national conference in North Carolina, where only 26 students from Pennsylvania are selected. That led to a paid internship with the Y’s NextGen team, as an ambassador for the program. Now, as he pursues his business degree before transferring to Drexel University, he can be found lifeguarding at two Y branches. His pitch?
“A lot of kids don’t get this opportunity... something like this, I can’t pass up. I don’t think you should either.”