Duo Participates in Albany
Leadership Conference
Jose Hernandez and Karen Parada might look ordinary, but they are among the most talented and hard working teenagers in the state. The two Huntington High School seniors, along with several promising young leaders from around New York, recently participated in the Angelo Del Toro Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute in Albany.
Huntington teachers chose the dynamic duo for the program based upon the pair's demonstrated leadership skills and documented involvement in the community and their interest in government policy making. Dozens of exceptional students participated in this year's program in the state capital.
"The Institute affords Hispanic youth greater insight into the dynamic nature of state government, provides a forum for students to share ideas and concerns impacting the Hispanic community and offers participants the opportunity to develop leadership skills," according to a program profile.
Mr. Hernandez immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic a little more than one year ago, but is already compiling a list of accomplishments. "Even though his English is not perfect yet, he has succeeded academically in all his courses," said Mercy Peña, a Spanish teacher at Huntington High School. "Jose exited the ESL program in only one year. He is a role model for ESL students."
Striking Personal Story
Ms. Parada has a striking personal story, too. "Karen is an impressive young lady who is active in the high school and the community," Ms. Peña said. "She is a peer mediator and a Natural Helper who has been incredibly useful in convincing peers to stop fights and bullying in the school." The teenager is interning with Ms. Peña this year and is the historian of the Spanish Honor Society.
Mr. Hernandez and Ms. Parada are enrolled in Advanced Placement Spanish this year. They tutor ESL students as well as students learning to speak Spanish. The duo was recognized last fall with student achievement awards at the Hispanic heritage celebration at Huntington Town Hall.
Prospective participants in the 2012 Institute were required to complete an application packet and submit a typed resume along with two letters of recommendation and a "meaningful and responsive essay" of at least 250 words that described their interest in "leadership, government policy making, the issues facing youth and the Hispanic community and the qualities/experiences that make them an outstanding candidate."
"Going to Albany was an experience of a lifetime," Ms. Parada said. "I met wonderful people from all over New York and participated in a mock Assembly, just like a State Assembly member would."
The two Huntington seniors represented Assemblyman James D. Conte in the mock Assembly and later met with and interviewed Mr. Conte, a 1977 graduate of Huntington High School.
Two All-Day Training Sessions
In the run-up to the three-day Albany institute, Mr. Hernandez and Ms. Parada participated in two all-day training sessions at Brookhaven Technical Center in Bellport. "The sessions help students gain more knowledge about the legislative procedures a bill undergoes in order to become a law," Mr. Hernandez said. "These training sessions are just the beginning of this unforgettable experience. Here is where all participants get to know each other while working on teams and in activities designed to promote social integration and communication skills. It's a time when everyone has a chance to practice and further develop their public speaking skills, which are certainly needed throughout the whole program."
During the first day in Albany, participants were placed in working groups in order to develop creative videos, songs, etc., about issues currently affecting the world. "So, students are not only developing leadership and communication capabilities, but they are also learning about society and things that matter today," Mr. Hernandez said.
A mock State Assembly was a key component of the three-day Institute. "Although the tension can sometimes be inevitable, it is one of the most amazing parts of the program," Mr. Hernandez said. Participants from across the state debated bills before voting to approve or reject them in the same manner as the actual legislature. Some Assemblyman said with the student playing their part in the mock exercise. The experience is meant to encourage the Latino community to get involved in the policy-making process.
"The opportunity given to Hispanic students from all over the state by the Institute is just great," Mr. Hernandez said.