Students Inside Albany (SIA) 2024

Students Inside Albany (SIA) brings together students from across the state to Albany to get a first-hand education about state government. The program is designed to increase high school students’ awareness of their responsibility in representative government and provide information about the tools necessary for meeting that responsibility. The League of Women Voters of New York State Education Foundation, Inc. sponsors one delegate from each League in New York. Local Leagues have the option of funding additional students and the LWVCA has sponsored two students for the last few years. This year the conference was held from May 19-24. The LWVCA sent two delegates to the 2024 SIA conference : Pauline (Polly) Kennedy, a junior at Cooperstown Central School and Ava Calhoun, a senior at Cherry Valley Springfield. The League of Women Voters of New York State Education Foundation, Inc. sponsors one delegate from each League in the state to the program; the LWVCA has sponsored a second student for the past several years.

In Albany delegates from across the state will have an up-close look at their state government. The program is designed to increase high school students’ awareness of their responsibility in representative government and provide information about the tools necessary for meeting that responsibility. This year’s conference will take place May 19-22.

While at the conference, studentsparticipated in a series of interactive lectures on topics such as the state budget process, the role of lobbyists in the legislative process, citizen rights to access government information, the role of media in politics, and the move to reform state government. While in Albany, the students will tour the state’s Capitol. The highlight for most students is the opportunity to shadow their Senator and their Assemblymember for an afternoon and attend a session on the Chamber floors.

Polly said, “I am excited to learn how legislation works and how the common person can be heard. I believe this will be a great experience with not only being able to see the capital and meeting new people, but learn new and exciting facts. “

Ava is also looking forward to meeting other students at SIA. She wrote in her application “I will be able [at SIA] to continue to cultivate and create connections with peers and learn more about how much by voice really does matter....”

Applications for SIA are sent to schools in the area each year in early January. Thanks to Maria Kaltenbach who coordinates the SIA Program for the LWVCA.

While at the conference students from across the statejoined their peers in a hands-on learning experience about how state government works. They will participate in a series of interactive lectures on topics such as the state budget process, the role of lobbyists in the legislative process, citizen rights to access government information, and media in politics. While in Albany, the students will have an opportunity to tour the state’s Capitol. The highlight for many of the students, including our local SIA delegates, is the opportunity to shadow their Senators and their Assemblymember for an afternoon attending session on the Chamber floors.

Maria Kaltenbach, LWVCA SIA coordinator, notes that our League covers all expenses for the students, but students must arrange transportation to Albany.  Maria explains that all students who attend high schools surrounding Cooperstown or students who are home-schooled and live in one of these school districts are invited to apply for SIA.

"If your school does not have an application, contact me directly," says Maria.

The qualifying school districts are:

• Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School District;
• Cooperstown Central School District; Edmeston Central School;
• Laurens Central School;
• Milford Central School;
• Richfield Springs Central School District;
• Schenevus Central School District; and
• Worcester Central School District.

“We strongly encourage all students from this area to apply. It is a truly unique opportunity, to learn more about state government and to meet other students from across the state,” says Maria.

LWVCA's SIA 2023 Delgates Olivia Lowenguth and Maeve Robinson with Senator Peter Oberacker ( 51st District) and LWV Oneonta's Delegate Zachary Grygiel at the Capitol.
Photo courtesy Senator Peter Oberaker.