ALBANY, 04/16/13 -- State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) today welcomed high school students from Otsego and Tompkins counties to Albany for the 13th annual Students Inside Albany conference sponsored by the League of Women Voters of New York State Education Foundation.

“The Capitol is a living, breathing classroom and I am pleased to take part in this unique program,” said Senator Seward.  “Offering students an inside glimpse at state government is a wonderful way to spark their interest in public service.”

Yelmi Chung from Oneonta High School, Desiree Muldoon from Dryden Central School, and Josie Waite from Edmeston High School “shadowed” Senator Seward for an afternoon, spending time on the floor of the New York State Senate during the day’s legislative session, attending senate committee meetings and learning the inner workings of state government.

“The learning experience with the shadow students is a two-way street.   Along with providing our future leaders with a better understanding of state government policy, it’s a great opportunity for me to find out what’s on their minds,” Senator Seward added.

Students Inside Albany is a program designed to increase high school students’ awareness of their responsibility in a representative government and provide the tools necessary for meeting that responsibility.  Chung, Muldoon, and Waite along with other students from around New York took part in the interactive conference.

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