Students draft mock legislation, hold press conferences on key issues
(Long Island, NY) From drafting mock legislation to organizing their own press conferences, the Suffolk County Legislature’s 16 summer Pages, now midway through the inaugural two-month program, have gained extensive hands-on experience in the nuts and bolts of government.
The summer Pages, local high school and college students, are each assigned to offices throughout the county, including those of the Clerk, Presiding Officer and individual legislators. There, they assist staff with day-to-day operations, including administrative support and constituent services.
From left, Suffolk County Legislature Pages Stefany Henriquez of Brentwood, Kristin Lomando of Sayville, Dana Sherman of Dix Hills and Casey O’Neill of Amityville share a laugh at the mock press conference they recently staged at the William H. Rogers Legislature Building in Hauppauge. Photo Credit: Suffolk County.
Each Friday, Pages gather at the William H. Rogers Legislature Building in Hauppauge, where they participate in workshops on government. The weekly programs are structured to mirror the lifecycle of the legislative process. Early in the program, Pages wrote legislation on issues of their own choosing, ranging from crime to women’s health. Pages then staged mock press conferences to publicize their bills, which will later be debated in mock committees. At the end of the summer, Pages will select a Presiding Officer and vote on their legislation in a mock General Meeting.
“I am impressed by the professionalism and dedication to constituent service that these young people have demonstrated,” said Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory. “The Page Program provides substantive training that will prepare these students to serve as legislative aides themselves. Regardless of where their career paths lead, though, the skills and experience that these students have gained through our program will serve them well in any profession.”
“The Page Program has been an incredible opportunity to sample what it’s like to work in government,” said Zack Goldstein of Melville, a 2015 graduate of Half Hollow Hills High School East who will be attending Brown University in Rhode Island this fall. “We hear from speakers representing different government offices each Friday. From Department of Labor employees to county photographers, each person we talk to offers a unique and fascinating perspective. The program has definitely confirmed my interest in pursuing public service as a career.”
This summer’s Pages are:
- Latrice Tribble of Copiague; Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory’s District Office
- Dana Sherman of Dix Hills; 16th District Legislator Steve Stern
- Joseph Basile III of East Setauket; 18th District Legislator William Spencer, M.D.
- Timothy Botros of Dix Hills; 16th District Legislator Steve Stern
- Kristen Lomando of Sayville; 3rd District Legislator Kate Browning
- Sarah Whitworth of Rocky Point; 6th District Legislator Sarah Anker
- Zack Goldstein of Melville; Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory’s Communications Office
- Andrea DeAngelis of Medford; 8th District Legislator William Lindsay III
- Brian Monahan of Smithtown; 12th District Legislator Leslie Kennedy
- Kristin Peragine of Baiting Hollow; Clerk of the Legislature
- Casey O’Neill of Amityville; Clerk of the Legislature
- Haley Parisi of Miller Place; 6th District Legislator Sarah Anker
- Liam Hofmeister of Sayville; 8th Legislator William Lindsay III
- Morgan Shaffer of West Islip; 16th Legislator Steve Stern
- Stefany Henriquez of Brentwood; 9th District Legislator Monica Martinez
- Scott Cassidy of East Setauket; Clerk of the Legislature
For more information on the Page Program, please visit the Suffolk County Legislature’s website, legis.suffolkcountyny.gov.
