Ava Osorio, Managing Editor
20 March, 2024
This past weekend, three Port Chester High School students were invited to Albany to explore the art of democracy by the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute. Shirleen Vasquez, Ava Osorio, and Hector Campozano, were able to meet other Latino students from all across New York. Throughout their time at the conference, they attended workshops exploring Latino culture, democracy, and three separate bills. The three bills that were shown, were current bills that not yet have been passed through the New York State Capitol. This allowed the Port Chester Students to learn how to read bills, research for arguments, and to improve their public speaking skills. At the end of the conference, the students attended a mock assembly with over 100 students at the People’s House of New York in which they debated the bills as representatives of different districts in New York. One bill focused on reforming suspensions in schools, the other on ending contracts in immigration detention centers, and the last ensured a legal council for immigration courts. Overall this trip was an amazing educational experience that allowed students to step outside of their comfort zone.