Local Middle School Students to Compete for Title “State Senator for a Day”

Brooklyn- State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C, 22nd District) today is announcing that the finalists have been selected in his 8th 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 improvements, educational needs, and traffic concerns.

The winning essays were judged on content and creativity. A contest ceremony has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 26, 2010, at 6:30 p.m. at Public School 204 located at 8101-15th Avenue 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 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.”

Senator Golden continued, “As always, it is a most difficult decision to select the finalists because our students are well educated and understand the issues facing our community. I look forward to the students presenting their ideas before a panel of judges and a winner being selected that will join me in Albany to serve as State Senator for a Day".

The 2010 “State Senator for a Day” contest finalists are:

PS/IS 104 Stella Anagnostakos, Grade 6

IS 229 Kyle Codispoti, Grade 6, Nicole Frasca, Grade 6

IS 228 Liabeth Lagupolsky, Grade 8

IS 227 Kevin Flores, Grade 6, Stella Lee, Grade 7

St. Patrick’s School Michael Genco, Grade 6

IS 187 Julian Stefan Glowacz, Grade 6, Alyssa Benjamin, Grade 7

Mohamed Moustafa, Grade 7 and Alina Sarkisyan, Grade 7

Visitation Academy Kelly Livanos, Grade 6, Olivia Mason, Grade 6,

Veronica M. Lucchese, Grade 7, Daniella Musacchio, Grade 7

Olivia Silvestri, Grade 7, Christina Koutelos, Grade 8

Alexandra Marsillo, Grade 8

St. Ephrem’s School Meghan Maloney, Grade 6, Michael Occhiogrosso, Grade 8

Gabriella Sichenze, Grade 8

IS 30 Chadron McMillan, Grade 6, Erin Rafferty, Grade 6

Our Lady of Grace Nicholas Shagiri, Grade 6, Anthony Bianchi, Grade 7

Nicholas Cannizzo, Grade 7, Angela Cerulli, Grade 7

Michael D’Alessio, Grade 8

St. Mary Mother of Jesus/St. Francis Cabrini Academy Joseph Gatto, Grade 7

IS 201 Mark Yefymenko, Grade 7

St. Bernadette’s School Victoria Basile, Grade 8, Vincent DiDonato, Grade 8

Joseph Galvano, Grade 8

PS/IS 192 Malik McIntyre, Grade 8, Sally Tran, Grade 8

IS 259 Norman Zhao, Grade 8

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.