Just a Senator and His Shadows

ALBANY—State Senator Peter Oberacker (R/C-Schenevus) recently welcomed students from the 51st Senate District to the Capitol as part of the 24th annual “Students Inside Albany” conference sponsored by the League of Women Voters of New York State Education Foundation.

“Offering students an inside glimpse of state government is a positive way to start them on the road to public service, and I thank the League of Women Voters for continuing this constructive event,” said Oberacker. “Along with helping the students learn more about the role of a state senator, this was a terrific learning experience for me. This group of future leaders offered keen insights and came prepared with perceptive questions—I look forward to witnessing what they accomplish moving forward.”

Ava Calhoun (Cherry Valley Central School), Nora Drexler (Windsor High School), Nick Gates (Susquehanna Valley Central School District), Polly Kennedy (Cooperstown Jr./Sr. High School), and Samuel Meador (Oneonta High School) “shadowed” the senator for an afternoon, learning the inner workings of the state senate and the legislative process.

“As a member of both the Senate Education and Senate Higher Education committees, I always take every opportunity to hear from our young people. Their perspective means a great deal and certainly helps me do my job as their representative,” Oberacker added.

Students Inside Albany is a program designed to increase high-school students’ awareness of New York’s governmental process. The interactive conference brings together high-school students from across the state to take part in various workshops.

Above, Senator Peter Oberacker welcomes student shadows to the Capitol in Albany during the recent Students Inside Albany conference. From left, Ava Calhoun, Samuel Meador, Polly Kennedy, Senator Oberacker, Nora Drexler, and Nick Gates.