Each year, juniors and seniors throughout New York state travel to Albany in March as members of the Angelo Del Toro Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute. The annual weekend event features a variety of activities, including participation in a mock session of the New York State Assembly.
On Feb. 14, Niagara University hosted a pre-mock assembly session for the institute’s Western New York delegation to prepare them for the event. The session was sponsored by the Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network West at Erie 1 Boces and in collaboration with Denise Gonez-Santos, a member of Niagara University’s Board of Trustees.
The students were welcomed to campus by the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Niagara University president, and Dr. Chandra Foote before practicing speeches and debates during the pre-mock assembly session. The students also took a tour of the campus and heard more about the opportunities available to them at NU. After a lunch in the university’s Glynn Hall, the day wrapped up with a debriefing and a reflection on the morning session. Students from the Niagara University Future Teachers Association and Latinos Unidos, and those club’s advisors, Dr. Liz Falzone and Maritza Mulready, supported the high school students throughout the day.
“Your generosity and support made it possible for our students to engage in a meaningful and impactful learning experience,” said Claribel González, resource specialist at RBE-RN West. “Beyond the assembly, the campus tour and advisement informational session provided our students with valuable exposure to the university, opening doors for them to explore Niagara University as a possibility after high school graduation. Experiences like these are instrumental in helping students envision their futures and consider higher education opportunities. We truly appreciate your hospitality and your commitment to supporting student leadership and advocacy.”
