Nassau Middle Schoolers Learn They Can 'Move People' As Jr. Lawmakers

MINEOLA, NY — Seven Mineola Middle School students had the opportunity to become lawmakers last month, and the experience taught them about the world, and themselves.

The fifth, sixth and seventh graders, members of the school's Speech and Debate Team, went on a two-day trip to Albany, to participate in the New York Youth & Government Conference.

Not only did one Mineola student get elected youth governor for 2023, but the students told Patch they realized they had abilities they didn't even know they had.

Joanna Peitler always struggled speaking in front of bigger crowds, but said when she headed to Albany to present the two bills she developed with her fellow club members, "I just tried to keep in mind that everyone has the same fears."

Social studies teacher Jack Fenty, who directs the club, helped the students brainstorm ideas for pieces of legislation they believed New York needs. The students headed to Albany to present their bills in front of their peers: Banning gasoline-powered leaf blowers and mandatory self-closing security doors in schools for school safety.

Fenty told Patch the students spent time looking at the fiscal implications of the ideas, and all the real-world issues, helping the students get a realistic sense of the democratic process.

"I want to improve the world, and make ideas that can improve the world," John Castellano declared.

Michael Perro was elected youth governor for the 2023 YAG Conference.

"We were all very excited" when he won, Perro told Patch.

"It feels like everybody, whether you are a middle-schooler or an adult, you can move people."

Fenty said that not only does the club give the 30 members experience strengthening public speaking skills and confidence — "They have to get up and speak in front of 250 other middle -schoolers" — but that it builds civic engagement, and encourages them to think about the world around them, not something that comes easily at that age, he noted.

Rachel Fogarty and Devan Parekh agreed that the idea of going to the conference and speaking was nerve-wracking.

"Before I went to Albany I was really nervous but I was also really excited," Fogarty explained.

"I didn't know what to expect," Parekh added.

"It felt like stepping in to the abyss, but I am really glad I did it."

As for whether or not the students could do a better job than the actual elected adults in New York State government, the students demurred.

"We don't know if we would be better but we would listen to all opinions on any issues," Fogarty surmised.