The 2026 Students Inside Albany Conference, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of New York State Education Foundation, brought 59 high schoolers from across the state to the Albany from May 17â20, 2026. This yearâs event successfully equipped students with the tools to participate in representative government and value their civic voice.
As a chaperone, I watched our students from Schenectady (Ethan Brougham and Hema Singh) transform into active, informed citizens ready to engage with representative government. It was incredibly rewarding to watch as they immerse themselves in the New York Stateâs legislative process.
You can find a recap of the workshops, panels, and activities that made this yearâs conference so impactful here
Highlights & Memorable Moments
- Shadowing Success: Both Ethan and Hema had the incredible opportunity to shadow their Assembly Members (Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara) on the chamber floor, gaining a firsthand look at how bills are debated. They also had the opportunity to spend time with their State Senator, James Tedisco, who presented them with a certificate.
- Inspiring Future Goals: Several students raised their hands to indicate that they are now seriously considering a future career in public service.
- Taking Action: The absolute highlight was watching several students proudly fill out their voter registration form at the end of the conference.
Maxine Brisport
