A group of 25 Youth In Government students at Pine Bush High School took a trip to the capitol in Albany recently. According to Charlene Webster, the group’s advisor, she wanted to reward them for all their hard work this year with a great trip. These kids are interested in government – what better way to foster that than to have them see how it actually works.

When they went in late April, it was during budget season, so that provided some interesting insight. They went on a Monday, a quiet day in Albany compared to Tuesdays, which are lobby day and the halls of the capitol building are packed with constituents.

 

The group had two very special guides as they toured the capitol building. Derek Perez and Gabriel Girault, 2019 graduates of PBHS and former Youth In Government members who are interning in Albany, gave the group access and insight not afforded everyone on a tour. Both are law students at Albany Law School and Gabe interns with our State Senator James Skoufis. Gabe set up a meeting for our students with Skoufis at his office.

 

 

The students listened as Skoufis described his routine in the capital. They asked very thoughtful questions of him, Ms. Webster said, and agreed he had good answers to their questions.

“I like that he is very concerned with helping local families,” said Michaela Andrikut, one of the students who made the trip.

 

 

Skoufis encouraged the students to get involved at the local level, noting it’s a good idea for a student member on the school board. The students discussed with him progress on the budget, the possibility of a bell-to-bell cell phone ban being enacted in New York state and the divide in the country.

“He (Skoufis) wishes people would sit down together and work things out,” said student Christopher Reyes.

“We are all New Yorkers and Americans,” Michaela added. “We’re not just Democrats or Republicans.”

 

 

“It was a great discussion,” Ms. Webster said.

What stood out to many of the Youth in Government students was the grandeur and beauty of the capitol building.

 

Several students noted the mix of architecture, noting the tour guide said it would be dull if it was all the same. The building took 32 years to complete and many different architects had their hand in it. The ceiling was rounded and had renaissance art throughout. The stairwells had numerous carvings, including of animals and significant people in our history.

“The building architecture was amazing,” said Christopher, noting the different art styles throughout.

One student expected the building to be very fancy – and it met her expectations! The stone building is all hand-carved. The ceiling in the Assembly chamber was once constructed of wood and papier mache! The devastating fire of 1911 destroyed most of the documents in the building’s library and museum and was instrumental, along with the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire just days prior, in creating fire reform throughout the state.

 

 

Emelia Cruz’s cousin works in Albany and she once visited the capitol when she was in fourth grade. Her future plans are to become a lawyer.

“I took it very different this time,” Emelia said. “Now I understand it. And it definitely solidified my desire to be an attorney.”

 

“The students were really appreciative of this trip,” said Ms. Webster. “It was very rewarding for them. I’m so glad we were able to do it.”