Student Shadows Visit Senate

ALBANY, 05/20/15 -- State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) this week welcomed high school students from Cortland, and Otsego counties to Albany for the 15th annual Students Inside Albany conference sponsored by the League of Women Voters of New York State Education Foundation.

“The Capitol is a living, breathing classroom and I am pleased to take part in this unique program,” said Senator Seward.  “Offering students an inside glimpse at state government is a wonderful way to spark their interest in public service.”

Charisse Farley from Cortland High School, Harmony Johnson from Homer Senior High School, and Mary Miller from Oneonta High School “shadowed” Senator Seward for an afternoon, spending time on the floor of the New York State Senate during the day’s legislative session, attending senate committee meetings and learning the inner workings of state government. 

“The learning experience with the shadow students is a two-way street.   Along with providing our future leaders with a better understanding of state government policy, it’s a great opportunity for me to find out what’s on their minds.  As a member of both the senate education committee and the senate higher education committee, the ideas students offer are extremely helpful,” Senator Seward added.

Students Inside Albany is a program designed to increase high school students’ awareness of their responsibility in a representative government and provide the tools necessary for meeting that responsibility.  Farley, Johnson, and Miller along with other students from around New York took part in the interactive conference.

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Photo caption:  From left, Senator James L. Seward reviews the senate calendar for the day with students “shadows” Harmony Johnson (Homer High School), Mary Miller (Oneonta High School), Charisse Farley (Cortland High School).