Story by Saja Saad, Lakeville; Edited by Lale Akkins, Mounds View; Illustration by Lindley Johnson

Media: What is it and what do they do?

When thinking of the word “media” most people may think of social media, such as Instagram, Snapchat, or TikTok. Although these are all examples of media, there is far more to it. In Youth In Government, the Media team is divided into four different groups: digital, radio, closing video, and newspaper. Each of these groups has people and roles dedicated to help share what is going on throughout the program in different ways. The Media team all works together to create content for other delegates to see, ranging from news about elected positions to silly TikTok videos. Whatever content it is, there are people working hard behind the scenes.

Get to Know the Leaders

Director:

The media director is the one who organizes Media as a whole. They help find and come up with new ideas, along with making sure that everything goes smoothly. The media director helps everyone stay organized and on task while also ensuring creativity. Meet the director:

Carson Sayler

Years in YIG: Four

Delegation: New Prague

Favorite thing about YIG: “Being with my roommates, we have been rooming together since freshman year, and Media is such a unique program area to be in.”

Other Activities he is involved in: Swimming, tennis, MUN

If he could have one meal for the rest of his life it would be: Chicken Alfredo

Digital:

The digital team takes care of the social media, including the YIG TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube accounts. They post content of what happens throughout the program. Meet the digital media manager:

Sunayna Menon

Years in YIG: Five

Delegation: Lakeville

Favorite thing about YIG: “Being able to make new connections with people I wouldn’t see otherwise.”

Other activities she is involved in: Speech, Debate, NHS, Dance

If she could have one meal for the rest of her life it would be: Bacon Mac & Cheese and a Dr. Pepper

Radio:

The radio team is in charge of the YIG podcast. They give everyone content through Spotify like interviews, and share important information about the conference. Meet the radio manager:

Alex Hoag

Years in YIG: Three

Delegation: St. Louis Park

Favorite thing about YIG: “I like meeting new people and I think it’s a fun getaway from school as well.”

Other activities she is involved in: President of school rock climbing club, running, MUN, barista at a bakery

If she could have one meal for the rest of her life it would be: Sushi

Closing Video:

Some delegates may already know what the closing video is, but for first-year delegates this is something new. The closing video is an amazing conclusion to the conference each year that captures the conference’s overall YIG experience and puts it all together. The people who take care of closing video take lots of photos and videos of delegates throughout the conference, also including other events like Launch. They take the time to edit everything together into one video that summarizes the whole 2025 YIG experience. Meet the closing video manager:

Ellen Schroeder

Years in YIG: Three

Delegation: Central

Favorite thing about YIG: “Getting to know new people, and the environment is so unique to YIG. It feels special to see people from past years.”

If she could have one meal for the rest of her life it would be: Poke Bowl

Newspaper:

The people in the newspaper group are the ones who interview, write, edit, and publish articles for the YIG website. This group is divided into reporters and editors. Reporters get information about a story to write it, and then the editors fix any errors to make the writing smoother. They have a printed copy of some stories, and also a website that includes every story they write. Meet the newspaper manager:

Lindley Johnson

Years in YIG: Four

Delegation: Shakopee

Favorite thing about YIG: “The people that I meet here. I get to meet all sorts of interesting characters I don’t normally see, and then I get to look forward to seeing them again next year!”
Other activities she is involved in: Vice president of drama club, one-act play competitions, chamber choirs, girl scouts, FCCLA, Educators Rising

If she could have one meal for the rest of her life it would be: “A huge thing of green beans and maybe some side of sushi.”

Here are the links for our YIG media pages:

TikTok: YIG and MUN Media (@cyv.yig.media) | TikTok

Instagram: MN YIG Media (@cyv.yig.media) • Instagram photos and videos

YouTube: YIG and MUN Media – YouTube