Byron-Bergen CSD 12th grader Jennalyn Long invited political panelists, including (l-r) New York State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer, Assemblyman Steve Hawley, and Genesee County Manager Jay Gsell, to attend the Student Leadership Conference.Jennalyn Long, a 12th grader at Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School, is creating connections between students at area schools.
As an AmeriCorps representative for her school, Jennalyn has spent months planning for a large, community service event that involved students from Genesee County and featured local and state leaders.
Over 60 students from Byron-Bergen, LeRoy and Oakfield-Alabama Schools gathered for the Student Leadership Conference at the Genesee County Building #2 in Batavia on February 8. The half-day conference included roundtable discussions between students from the three schools; guest speaker, Batavia City School Board Member Patrick Burk; and a political panel, featuring Genesee County Manager Jay Gsell, New York State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer, and Assemblyman Steve Hawley.
Jennalyn said she has always been active in student leadership at Byron-Bergen.
“I wanted to make sure that other students have the opportunities that I have had,” she said.
The goal of the conference was to enhance multi-school connections and share ideas from students for what has worked at their school for schoolwide events and activities, according to Jennalyn.
Other than the connections between students, the political panelists offered students an opportunity to ask questions about politics, leadership, community service, and other related topics.
“Seeing young people show such initiative and leadership provides us all with confidence that the next generation of New Yorkers is in good hands,” said Assemblyman Steve Hawley. “The Student Leadership Conference brought together some of the brightest minds from our local schools and forged partnerships that will benefit all of our students.”
Looking ahead, Jennalyn is planning for life after high school.
“I am hoping someone from my school will carry on the Student Leadership Conference next year to start a tradition of it,” she said. “After high school I plan on attending college and major in either social work or news broadcasting.
