CAPITOL STUDENTS

Albany, N.Y.--State Senator Tom O’Mara (R-C, Big Flats) welcomed two area high school students to the State Capitol on Tuesday, May 19, 2015.  

Karilyn Rutledge, a senior at the Bradford Central School (Steuben County), and William Westlake, a senior at the Charles O. Dickerson High School in Trumansburg (Tompkins County), were among the nearly 30 high school students from across the state who participated in the 15th Annual “Students Inside Albany” (SIA) conference sponsored by the League of Women Voters of New York (LOWV/NY) State Educational Foundation, Inc.  

In the photo, Karilyn and William joined Senator O’Mara on the rostrum in the historic Senate Chamber in the Capitol.

Through the LOWV’s annual SIA conference, select high school students spend several days in Albany learning about state government and politics.  Students also spend an afternoon “shadowing” Senator O’Mara and other state legislators to get a firsthand look at New York’s legislative process.   

“I’m grateful to the League of Women Voters for providing Karilyn, William and their fellow students with a unique opportunity to participate in New York government,” said Senator O’Mara.  “It’s enormously important to do everything we can to help instill a strong sense of public service among our young people and future leaders.”