State Senator Shelley Mayer, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, welcomed 21 members of her Youth Advisory Council to Albany for their annual visit on Tuesday, May 26. Each year, the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) travels to the New York State Capitol to see the Senate and Assembly Chambers, observe the Legislature in session, and tour the historic Capitol building. During their visit, students also presented thoughtful and comprehensive policy proposals of their own to legislative staff.
Senator Shelley Mayer said, “I was delighted to welcome members of my Youth Advisory Council to Albany for their annual visit. These fantastic students visited the Senate and Assembly Chambers, toured the capital, and presented the thoughtful policy proposals they have been developing over the past several months to legislative staff. I am so impressed by their preparation, insight, and thoughtful ideas, which reaffirm for me how important it is that young people have a voice in shaping our future.
“I am proud to have such an active Youth Advisory Council – led by Christine Fils-Aimé, my Director of Constituent Services and Community Affairs, and Luis Ochoa, my Constituent Services and Community Affairs Associate. I also thank my legislative colleagues for ensuring members of their staff heard the presentations and provided valuable feedback.”
Among the students who traveled to Albany with the YAC were Kristian Acosta, Nicole Akiru, Katie Bhatt, Ray Cao, Alisha Diaz, Adriana Feng, Surya Fraser, Julio Gomez, Nizar Hammami, Ashley Hernandez, Vivienne Kwarteng, Jack Levy, Avamarie McEnery, Julia Panos, Giancarlo Polo, Olivia Saja, Estrella Santiago, Noah Stopnik, Avni Sundaram, Maryam Washwell, and Martin Yupa.
The students represent Ardsley High School, Blind Brook High School, Byram Hills High School, Charles E. Gorton High School, Eastchester High School, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, Horace Mann School, The Masters School, Port Chester High School, Rye Neck High School, Stanford University Online High School, White Plains High School, and Yonkers High School.
The “YAC” is a bold and inspiring group of young changemakers who work with my team, taking the lead on powerful community initiatives like food drives, college fairs, and advocacy trips, while also helping to shape legislative priorities by elevating youth perspectives and championing the voices of their generation across District 37.