This past Saturday, March 9, six Hostos Community College students traveled to Albany to participate in the CUNY 2024 Model New York State Session, which was held in the actual NYS Senate Chamber. SGA President Dainma Martínez along with students Brittany Lanzano, Alyssa Wright, Cynthia Bongo Remadji, Stacy Delgado, and Telecisa McKenzie joined Chancellor Félix V. Matos-Rodríguez and students from other CUNY schools in the special event during which the students, acting as if they were actual NYS Senators, debated Daniel’s Law, which aims to reduce police violence against people undergoing mental health crises.
 
The Model Senators pose with Chancellor Matos Rodríguez on the Senate floor.
Student Leadership Coordinator Jason Libfeld also accompanied the Hostos delegation, something he has been doing since 2008 when Hostos first broke the record by bringing a group of 10 students. “Hostos has been participating in the Model Senate since its inception 26 years ago,” he said. “ It’s a great opportunity for both CUNY and SUNY students to learn about policy-making and public speaking, and to grow and develop their skills.”
 
Hostos students Alyssa Wright, Telecisa McKenzie, Cynthia Bongo Remadji, CUNY Chancellor Félix Matos-Rodríguez, Stacy Delgado and SGA President Dainma Martínez.
Though the debate held by the students won’t impact the actual deliberations or passing of the bill by the New York State Senate, the exchange of views was, in fact, witnessed by 10 actual senators including Senator Gustavo Rivera from the Bronx.