(Long Island, NY) For the second time this month, Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory and the League of Women Voters of Suffolk County hosted a “Student Day” at the William H. Rogers Legislature Building in Hauppauge. More than 40 young people attended the Oct. 15 event.
The schools represented were: Southampton High School, Westhampton Beach High School, East Hampton High School, Hampton Bays High School, Bellport High School, Patchogue-Medford High School, Pierson High School, Brentwood High School and Central Islip High School. Additionally, the North Shore Youth Council brought students from Rocky Point High School, Rocky Point Middle School, Miller Place High School and Suffolk County Community College to the event.
Presiding Officer of the Suffolk County Legislature DuWayne Gregory and the League of Women Voters of the Hamptons hosted a Student Day on Oct. 15 at the William H. Rogers Legislature Building in Hauppauge. Gregory’s Chief of Staff Lora Gellerstein, left, assists Alyssa Peterson, center, of Bellport High School and Erica Selyukova of Pierson High School as the young women prepare to debate mock legislation that would ban drones on school property. Photo Credit: Suffolk County.
“I am immensely impressed by the intellect and enthusiasm of these young people,” said Presiding Officer Gregory. “Student Day was structured to reinforce that government is not merely an abstract idea, but a tangible entity that is powered by the people it serves. I commend the League of Women Voters for its commitment to executing this event and to educating the public about the importance of civic engagement.”
“Student Day at the Legislature was a wonderful experience, both for the students and the educators who accompanied them,” said Judi Roth of the League of Women Voters of the Hamptons. “Shortly after returning home, I received an email from Michael Guinan, assistant principal at Pierson High School in Sag Harbor, who said that his students’ chaperone couldn’t stop raving about the day. The League of Women Voters and I wish to thank the Legislature and its staff for executing such a fantastic event.”
Following presentations from officials representing various county agencies, students broke into caucuses to discuss mock legislation that would ban the use of drones over school property. In a simulated General Meeting, students portrayed legislators and concerned citizens who argued for or against the bill. The first group of student-legislators voted to table the bill for further debate, while the second group of student-legislators passed the bill with an amendment to exempt school officials from the ban.
The day’s speakers included: 5th District Legislator Sarah Anker, 9th District Legislator Monica Martinez, 12th District Legislator Leslie Kennedy, Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy and Suffolk County Medical Examiner Dr. Michael Caplan. Representatives from the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office and the Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Protection also addressed the students. Additionally, Meryl Cassidy of Response of Suffolk County gave a presentation on compassionate listening, and representatives from Long Island Cares and Habitat for Humanity spoke about the public service performed by nonprofit organizations and how they interact with the county to further their missions.
“The experience was exciting and definitely confirmed I want to go into politics or law,” said Jared Hamer, a student at Patchogue-Medford High School.
“I’ve worked with the League of Women Voters for many years, and I hold that organization in very high regard,” said Comptroller Kennedy, who previously served as a county legislator. “It comes as no surprise that the League would offer this opportunity for students to learn about public service. I encourage these young people to pursue further opportunities in county government by interning with one of our elected officials or agencies.”
“As chair of the Legislature’s Education and Information Technology Committee, I’ve worked hard to ensure that our students have the opportunity to engage with government,” said Legislator Anker. “It was an honor to speak to these young people, several of whom live in my district, about the rewards of public service. I would also encourage them to visit the Department of Labor’s One-Stop Employment Center to learn about additional professional opportunities as they prepare to graduate from high school.”
“It was a pleasure to address the students and discuss the importance of becoming involved in one’s community,” said Legislator Martinez, a former assistant principal at East Middle School in Brentwood. “I am a proud graduate of Brentwood High School, and it was important to me to show these students, particularly those who are women and minorities, that the doors of opportunity in government are open to them.”
“I was thrilled to attend this event,” said Legislator Kennedy. “We will one day have to pass the responsibility of policy-making to the next generation, and they will be making the decisions that affect us as senior citizens. It is important that we instill in these youth now the importance of both compassion and fiscal responsibility.”
Lunch was donated by Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace in Smithtown.
The Legislature and League of Women Voters of Suffolk County also hosted a Student Day Oct. 8, which drew more heavily from schools in the western part of the county.
