Stuyvesant Hosts State Senator Brian Kavanagh

New York State Senator Brian Kavanagh visited social studies teacher Linda Weissman’s AP U.S. Government classes on March 5. His visit served as an introduction for Weissman’s students to government participation and career choices. Kavanagh also encouraged many students to register to vote as a part of the social studies department’s Student Voter Registration Day and Civics Week.

Kavanagh’s presentation included his main objectives for representing District 26, which includes Lower Manhattan and the western part of Brooklyn. “He spoke about reducing homelessness, one of his main initiatives,” senior Alma Thaler said in an e-mail interview. “It made me think about how wealthy people whose property values are very high would react to shelters and affordable housing being built on their block and how lower income families would react.”

Students found Kavanagh’s visit informative on the responsibilities of state and city governments. “[What] was striking [to me] was how much state and city government affect our lives, on a day to day basis, probably a lot more than the federal government does, yet how little interest and attention it garners compared to the presidential election and even congressional elections,” Thaler said. “Stuff like how long our school year is is determined by the state government or things like how much of an apartment building must be rent-controlled.”

Kavanagh’s presentation provided valuable information on pursuing a career in government. “[Having] just completed a research assignment on our own districts, it was really nice to have the opportunity to ask [Senator] Kavanagh some questions in person,” senior Kelsey Xu said in an e-mail interview. “He spoke about how he came to this job and as a high school student, [how] it was especially helpful to learn about [the path] to becoming a politician […] he was very candid about the struggle to get through to his constituents that he had their backs and was not simply acting for show.”

Kavanagh also discussed the importance of voting, which was valuable as many seniors will be voting in upcoming elections. “Though I [had] already registered to vote, I think [that] Student Voter Registration Day was [a] good idea to spread the word about the importance of voting,” senior Angie Chu said in an e-mail interview. “Voters between the ages of 18 and 25, including [several] of my friends, generally have the least turnout because they don’t believe that their vote matters or don’t know how to register.”

Ultimately, many students felt that Kavanagh’s visit as well as Student Voter Registration Day helped spread awareness about the importance of voting and the role of politicians. “It was surprising to realize how many decisions are made by [those] who [the public] has the power to elect or remove from office, meanwhile that power is routinely neglected,” Thaler said. “It was [also] kind of jarring to see a career politician, who is definitely apt and good at what he does, so up close.”