STUDENTS INSIDE ALBANY

STUDENTS INSIDE ALBANY

Participants in SIA 2019Students Inside Albany is an intensive four-day conference run by the New York State League of Women Voters Education Foundation. The program is designed to immerse students in the process by which public policy is proposed, enacted and changed in New York State and educate them as to how they can influence and affect this process. The conference brings approximately 60 students from across the State to Albany to get a first-hand education about their state government.
Scarsdale Student 2019 Grant Recipients Andrew Morin and Rishabh Gharekhan

The highlight for most students is the opportunity to shadow their state representatives for an afternoon, with many students getting the opportunity to attend a session on the Chamber floor.

The State League Education Foundation and the Scarsdale League of Women Voters funded the expenses for two highly qualified Scarsdale students, selected from an outstanding pool of applicants, to attend the conference. In reflecting on their experience this year, they wrote:

The Students Inside Albany program was extremely rewarding. In addition to being academically stimulating, the program was a lot of fun, in parts due to the encouraged bonding with evening activities like bowling and foosball! In three days, so much was accomplished as we covered extensively every part of state government, from county legislators to the Court of Appeals. We walked in the footsteps of our legislators, joining them on the floor and in meetings with their staffs and colleagues. We toured the halls of power of New York State, from the courtrooms to the legislative chambers to the governor’s office. We learned so much about specific issues and advocacy as a whole that has made us more engaged and more active citizens. But beyond the incredible levels of access and information given to us, the opportunity to meet so many bright and driven students from across the state was similarly unparalleled. We both made friends that we’ve kept in contact with in the weeks since the conference and connections that we will definitely preserve into the future.

Follow this link to read the full article written by Scarsdale’s two student representatives.

Follow this link for the 2020 Students Inside Albany Application and Instructions. The event has been cancelled this year due to COVID-19.

RUNNING AND WINNING

The League of Women Voters of Westchester County Running & Winning Workshop for female* high school students was to take place on April 16, 2020 at the YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester. The American Association of University Women Westchester and the YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester are co-sponsors. The event has been cancelled this year due to COVID-19.

This workshop is designed to give young women* in high school the opportunity to explore public service as a career. During the session, participants will talk with local women* office holders, expand their leadership abilities and develop teamwork skills.

• We use an inclusive definition of “woman” and “female” and welcome all people who identify as such.

The program is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Westchester County and others. For more information, ask your school’s Social Studies department head or contact Deb Morel at moreldeb@gmail.com.

Participants in the 2018 Running & Winning Workshop

SCARSDALE MIDDLE SCHOOL MOCK ELECTION

In election years, the LWVS helps educators and administrators at the Middle School run a mock election for the students. On March 3, 2020, SMS students had the opportunity to vote in a Super Tuesday mock primary.

League volunteers staffed tables in the SMS Great Hall where students checked in to vote on computers at polling booths. Each student received an “I Voted Today” sticker to mark their participation at the polls.

Follow this link to read more about the Super Tuesday Mock Election and find out the local polling results.

Students at the Middle School waiting to cast their ballots at the 2018 Mock Election.LWVS Youth Outreach portfolio co-chair, Elissa Ruback, volunteering at the SMS Mock Election.LWVS members, Trude Akersveen (left) and Ronny Hersch, help out at the SMS Mock Election.LWVS member Debbie Miller (left) and volunteer Beth Lambert manning the polls at the SMS Mock Election.

CIVICS JEOPARDY

Civics Jeopardy at Scarsdale Middle School

Civics Jeopardy is a fast-paced, fun and educational game designed to educate middle school-aged children about national, state and local civics, particularly during election years.

Similar to TV’s “Jeopardy”, the kids compete in teams by answering questions from subject-matter categories including: Current Issues, the U.S. Government, Campaigns and Elections, the Candidates, the Electoral Process and Presidential History. Everyone was a winner taking home LWVS logo pencils and Voter Guides!The competition was stiff!