Devika Bhatnagar, currently a Sophomore at the Liberty High School in Henderson, is named as the Youth Legislator to the Nevada Youth Legislature for the two years beginning August 2021.  District 5 State Senator Carrie Buck appointed Bhatnagar to the position to represent youths from the Senate District 5.  The Nevada Youth Legislature (NYL) is a two-year program that gives high school students an opportunity to learn about representative government and take an active role in the legislative process.

Bhatnagar, with public service in mind, had to go through a rigorous interview process to earn the coveted position of Youth Legislator.  The inaugural training was held in August where Bhatnagar was sworn in by Democratic Speaker/Assemblyman Jason Frierson.

“The reason I wanted to be a part of the NYL and continue my journey of public service in and out of school is that I enjoy helping other people and ensuring that the people I help are contented, as in the past I have been in Student Council,” said Bhatnagar. Bhatnagar continued, “My role as a Youth Legislator is to reach out to youths and discuss problems the youth community is facing and how we can resolve that”.

At her high school, Devika has served as Historian and Commissioner of Public Relations and was actively involved in a student-led organization – Generation Up Nevada also known as Genup Nevada where she served as the Director of Fundraising. Youth legislators will be communicating with the area youths to get their input on issues impacting the younger generation.  During the second year, the young legislators will propose a bill to the Nevada Legislature on policy matters impacting the Nevada youth.