Ritchie Greets Ohio Elementary School Students at Capitol

State Senator Patty Ritchie welcomed a group of students from Ohio Elementary School in Watertown to the State Capitol Thursday. The students, 3^rd and 4^th graders, were able to tour the Capitol Building, ask Senator Ritchie about state government and her role in it, and also spend some time at the New York State Museum.

“It was wonderful to visit with the students of Ohio Elementary and share with them a little bit about what I do and their state government,” Senator Ritchie said. “I think it is important for students, especially at a young age, to experience Albany and the Capitol for not only their education today, but to pique their interest and help them relate as they learn more about New York State in the years to come.”

Last year, Senator Ritchie visited Ohio Elementary to meet the students and share with them a bit about her role in state government.  During that visit, the students expressed an interest in coming to see the Senator in Albany.  Senator Ritchie was able to secure a $4,500 grant so the school could afford to make the bus trip happen.

“A lot of these students have never been outside of Watertown before.  It was amazing to see their eyes light up as they saw all of these historic buildings, the artifacts at the museum and Senator Ritchie on the job,” Ohio Elementary Principal Mark Taylor said. “We cannot thank Senator Ritchie enough for helping our students get this first-hand experience and learn more about our great state.”

(Senator Patty Ritchie is pictured with Ohio Elementary Principal Mark Taylor and 3rd and 4th grade students from Ohio Elementary)