Suffolk County Legislature, League of Women Voters Host 'Student Day'

Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory and the League of Women Voters of the Hamptons recently hosted a “Student Day” for the second time this month.

Over 40 young people attended event which took place on Oct. 15.

“I am immensely impressed by the intellect and enthusiasm of these young people,” Gregory said. “Student Day was structured to reinforce that government is not merely an abstract idea, but a tangible entity that is powered by the people it serves.”

The schools represented included: Southampton High School, Westhampton Beach High School, East Hampton High School, Hampton Bays High School, and Pierson High School, among others.

“Student Day at the Legislature was a wonderful experience, both for the students and the educators who accompanied them,” Judi Roth of the League of Women Voters of the Hamptons said. “Shortly after returning home, I received an email from Michael Guinan, assistant principal at Pierson High School in Sag Harbor, who said that his students’ chaperone couldn’t stop raving about the day.”

Following presentations from officials representing various county agencies, students broke into caucuses to discuss mock legislation that would ban the use of drones over school property.

In a simulated General Meeting, students portrayed legislators and concerned citizens who argued for or against the bill.

The first group of student-legislators voted to table the bill for further debate, while the second group of student-legislators passed the bill with an amendment to exempt school officials from the ban.

The day’s speakers included: 6th District Legislator Sarah Anker, 9th District Legislator Monica Martinez, 12th District Legislator Leslie Kennedy, Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy and Suffolk County Medical Examiner Dr. Michael Caplan.

Representatives from the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office and the Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Protection also addressed the students.

In addition, Meryl Cassidy of Response of Suffolk County gave a presentation on compassionate listening, and representatives from Long Island Cares and Habitat for Humanity spoke about the public service performed by nonprofit organizations and how they interact with the county to further their missions.

The Legislature and League of Women Voters of Suffolk County also hosted a Student Day Oct. 8, which drew more heavily from schools in the western part of the county.

Photo caption: Presiding Officer of the Suffolk County Legislature DuWayne Gregory and the League of Women Voters of the Hamptons hosted a Student Day on Oct. 15 at the William H. Rogers Legislature Building in Hauppauge. Gregory’s Chief of Staff Lora Gellerstein, left, assists Alyssa Peterson, center, of Bellport High School and Erica Selyukova of Pierson High School as the young women prepare to debate mock legislation that would ban drones on school property. Photo Credit: Suffolk County.