Senator Golden Announces "state Senator For A Day" Contest

STUDENTS TO COMPETE FOR TITLE "STATE SENATOR FOR A DAY"

State Senator Marty Golden (R-C, 22nd District) today is announcing that the finalists have been selected in his 6th Annual "State Senator For A Day" essay contest. This contest invited local school children of District 20, District 21 and District 22 to write essays no more than 250-words which began with the phrase, "If I were a State Senator for A Day...". Throughout the essay, the students write about issues facing the community such as public safety, park imrovements, educational needs and traffic concerns. The winning essays were judged on content and creativity. A contest ceremony has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 30, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus located at 1305-86th Street in Brooklyn.

"The contest has always served as a valuable educational learning tool for both myself and the school children of our community," said Senator Marty Golden, "The children present ideas and address areas of concern in their essays that are truly reflective of the needs of this neighborhood. At times, I have taken their suggestions and work towards them in my capacity as a representative, such as the restoration of our parks, removing graffiti and increasing police patrol on our streets."

The finalists are: Austin Nasta, Our Lady of Angels School, Kathleen Fox and Sara Christoforides, St. Anselm’s School, Colette Prideaux, St. Athanasius’s School, Jessica Kocan, Thomas O’Neill, Alexandria Paterno and Robert Toye, Our Lady of Grace, Marie Frolic, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Stefanie Burgio, Saint Mary Mother of Jesus/Saint Francis Cabrini Academy, Thomas Antioco, Most Precious Blood School, Louis Maresco, St. Patrick’s School, Jude Wells, I.S. 14, Subrina Estrella Jones, I.S. 30, Rosario Mendoza, I.S. 62, Michael Walko, P.S./I.S. 104 and Adam Curto, P.S. 180.

The finalists also include: Kevin Caffey and Ying Xie, I.S. 187, Christopher Mallia, I.S. 201, Stephanie Chorazy and Julia Goodheart, P.S. 207, Ling Maggie Li, I.S. 220, Angela Sarisyan, I.S. 223, Nijim Nam, I.S. 227, Jusitn Lang, I.S. 238, Amy Elsayed and Antonella Martinelli of I.S. 259 and Subrina Sinclair of I.S. 278.

"Over a thousand students submitted their essays for my consideration," continued Senator Golden, "As always, it is a most difficult decision to select the finalists for our local students are well educated and are understanding of the issues facing our community. I look forward to the students presenting their ideas before a panel of judges on April 30th."

The winner of the contest, based on performance, thoughts and presentation, and their class will be invited to Albany to see the legislative process in action. Senator Marty Golden is a member of the Senate Committee on Education.