Junior Yolani Cabrera and senior Erlyn Flores Reyes might appear to be ordinary, but they are among the most talented and hardworking teenagers in the state. The Huntington High School duo along with many other promising young leaders from around New York participated in the Angelo Del Toro Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute in Albany and impressed everyone there.
“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.
Ms. Cabrera and Mr. Flores Reyes represented Assemblyman Steve Stern during a mock session of the State Assembly. “Prior to the weekend program the students participated in multiple training sessions to empower Latinx leadership, advocacy and public speaking,” said Judy Moroff, Huntington UFSD’s director of world languages, dual language and English as a new language. Ms. Moroff accompanied the Huntington teenagers to Albany.
Prospective participants in the 2020 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.”
“For me, the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute was one of the best programs I could have participated in during my high school years,” Mr. Flores Reyes said. “This program helped opened my mind to debating bills and thinking what the other political party would say. We had to make arguments to clarify our point. Once we finished our debate at the mock Assembly, I wanted to continue with more bills to challenge my mind.”
A mock State Assembly was a key component of the three-day Institute. Participants from across the state debated bills before voting to approve or reject them in the same manner as the actual legislature. The experience is meant to encourage the Latino community to get involved in the policy-making process.
“Students debated five proposed bills in the New York State Assembly chamber while assuming the roles of New York State legislators,” Ms. Moroff said. “On the first day of the trip, the students participated in leadership workshops that focused on Latino community concerns. On Sunday, students went to the Assembly chamber and took part of a debate on current pending bills. Erlyn was chosen to recite the Pledge of Allegiance before the mock Assembly. That evening students enjoyed a recognition banquet and were able to meet Latinx students across the state. On the final day, students met with assemblyman in their Albany office and took a private tour of the Senate and Assembly chambers.”
The two Huntington teachers were proud to represent Assemblyman Stern in the mock Assemby and met with him beforehand to discuss his point of view on the bills that were debated during the mock assembly.
Ms. Cabrera and Mr. Flores Reyes and their fellow participants debated and voted on the following proposed bills:
- Prohibits a consumer reporting agency or lender from using an individual's internet use or internet viewing history to determine such individual's credit worthiness.
- An act to establish a task force on educator diversity in New York state; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof.
- Establishes the "domestic violence registration act" defining domestic violence offenses and offenders and requiring such offenders to register with the division of criminal justice services.
- Relates to implementing equal employment opportunity and affirmative action for classified civil service positions in the service of the state.
- An act to amend the graduation requirements and pathways to graduation in New York State to promote equity of access to a New York State high school diploma in order to adequately honor the accomplishments of diverse populations of learners in their quest for college, career readiness, and active and engaged citizenship. Students will have access to diverse pathways based on their strengths and passions and be allowed to select between taking exit Regents exams or similarly rigorous assessments approved by the NYSED or completing comprehensive capstone projects in their field of interest and presenting to a panel of experts including teachers using a rubric to rate their projects on pre-determined criteria aligned to NYS standards. Students will be required to complete a minimum of credits as stipulated by the NSYED aligned to the state’s standards.
“I have attended the Institute with student delegates every year and see the impact it leaves on them,” Ms. Moroff said. “The experience that Erlyn and Yolani had this year as Huntington delegates was truly unforgettable for them. They have newfound commitment to political awareness. I truly believe they will continue to be advocates for the Latinx community. I would not be surprised if one day they find themselves in the state legislature. Huntington is indeed fortunate to have such talented youth among us.”
