'Students Inside Albany': Area students participate in educational program at State Capitol

Albany, N.Y., May 30—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R-C, Big Flats) recently helped welcome two area high school students to the State Capitol as part of an education conference sponsored by the New York State League of Women Voters (LOWV). 

Kennedy Bledsoe of Whitesville Central School (Allegany County) and James DeRusha of Corning-Painted Post High School (Steuben County) were among high school students from across the state who participated in the 23^rd Annual “Students Inside Albany” (SIA) conference sponsored by the League of Women Voters of New York State Education Foundation, Inc. last week in Albany.

Through the LOWV’s annual SIA conference, select high school students spend several days in Albany learning about state government and politics. Students also spent an afternoon accompanying their respective state legislators to get a firsthand look at New York’s legislative process.

“I’m grateful to the League of Women Voters for providing Kennedy, James, and all of their fellow students with this unique opportunity to participate in New York State government,” said O’Mara. “I enjoyed the time we spent together at the Capitol and it’s clear that they have incredibly bright and promising futures. They deserve to be a great source of pride to their families and school communities. It’s critical to do everything we can to help instill a strong sense of citizenship and public service among our young people and future leaders.”