The first day of school may have been cause for excitement district-wide, but on Thursday, the students in Cindy Tolomeo and Lauren Ingram’s class had another fabulous surprise in store, as they received a visit from New York State Senator Shelley Mayer. 

Mayer, who represents NY’s 37th District—which includes Eastchester, Harrison, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Rye and Yonkers, among others—stopped into the Greenvale classroom to participate in a read-aloud with the third graders, reading from “Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon” as the youngsters listened on with rapt attention. 

Mayer said that she always enjoys visiting schools within her district, as it helps her to gain a deeper understanding of how the educational experience is playing out for area families. Her visit to Greenvale, she said, gave her a first-hand view of how enthusiasm for learning pervades the entire school community. 

“When you walk into a school and you feel the energy that’s working, it’s so meaningful,” said Mayer. “Coming into Eastchester, into Greenvale, talking to the students about what their first day was like, and hearing how positive it was from everyone here, is so gratifying.”

After reading from the Patty Lovell book, Mayer took questions from the students about her career in public service, including the various functions and responsibilities of state senators, as well as more personal inquiries about specific legislation that Mayer takes the most pride in being a part of passing. 

She said she was thankful for the questions, as the youngsters’ earnest enthusiasm proved both refreshing and aspirational for us all.

“These younger students have some feel about what an elected official is, and what they do, and they asked exactly the right questions,” she said. “I wish that every high school student had that same openness that these kids have. I hope that they continue to keep an open mind in terms of our democracy, and it was heartening to see them asking all the right questions.”