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"It was really a once-in-a-lifetime experience." (Reed Cleland, former Homer High participant)
Students Inside Albany (SIA) is an intensive four-day training conference sponsored by the League of Women Voters of New York State Educational Fund and the League of Women Voters Cortland County, and it is free to participants.
Traditionally, this annual conference brings approximately 60 students from across the state to Albany to get a first-hand education about their state government. It is designed to immerse students in the process by which public policy is proposed, enacted and changed in New York State and to educate them about how they can influence and affect this process. The highlight for most students is the opportunity to shadow their state representatives, with many students getting the opportunity to attend a session on the chamber floor.
Are you a high school student in Cortland County who’s curious about how government works?
Do you want to meet state leaders, explore the Capitol, and experience the legislative process firsthand?
Apply now for the 2026 Students Inside Albany Conference!
Dates: May 17 - 20
Location: Albany, NY (transportation will be provided)
Eligibility: All high school students (grades 10, 11, 12) in Cortland County
Cost: All expenses covered by LWVCC and the LWVNY Education Fund!
Why attend?
Tour the New York State Capitol
Shadow your state legislators
Learn how laws are made
Meet students from across New York
Build leadership and civic engagement skills
Get inspired to make a difference!
How to apply: Submit your application and reference form online at lwvcortlandcounty.org by February 2.
For more information, visit lwvcortlandcounty.org or contact donaldxchu@gmail.com.
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2026 SIA Timeline
2026 SIA Timeline
November 3: Applications available; schools contacted
February 2: Deadline for submission of student application and reference forms
March 2: LWVCC SIA Committee provides selected student(s) with permission forms and materials
March 20: Student deadline to submit all five online permission forms to LWVNY
May 17-20: SIA Conference in Albany
June __: Guest and speaker at Alice Walker dinner
A Look at the 2025 SIA Conference
May 18-21, 2025
Alivia Reif is the 2025
Alivia Reif is the 2025
Students in Albany Recipient
Students in Albany Recipient
At our Alice Walker Award Dinner in June, Alivia Reif, a Cortland High School 10th grade student, was recognized as our 2025 Students Inside Albany recipient. In her application, Alivia explained "I would like to attend the Students in Albany conference to better my understanding of the New York state government. The inner workings of our state government is something that in my opinion every capable student and general citizen should understand."
Alivia traveled to Albany for a 3-day immersive experience in NYS governance with other students from all over New York.
History of the Program
History of the Program
In 2014, under LWVCC Board Director Linda Frank's leadership, the Cortland League began sending two students each year to the interactive Students Inside Albany conference at the state capitol.
Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience"
Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience"
This conference is best described by 2018 Homer High student Reed Cleland:
"The conference was absolutely amazing! It was really a once-in-a-lifetime experience. ... We listened to all sorts of speakers, including media representatives and environmental and education advocates, shadowed the senators, met with our assemblymen, participated in a mock debate over gun control, went bowling, and more!"
Other LWVCC Youth Programs
Other LWVCC Youth Programs
The Cortland League also works with area high schools and colleges to register students to vote and enhance civic understanding through activities like mock elections and distributing Facts for Voters. In 2018, the League added several students to its board of directors and collaborated with SUNY Cortland's Institute for Civic Engagement in encouraging civil discourse among people of diverse viewpoints through deliberative dialogues.
Students are sponsored by the Cortland LWV, with help from the Zonta Club of Cortland, and previously from the Cortland chapter of American Association of University Women (AAUW).
2025: Alivia Rief (Cortland High School)
2024: Mallory May (Cortland High School) and Jack McGovern (Cortand High School)
2023: Vincenzo Perfetti (Cortland High School) and Lily Yang (Cortland High School)
2019: Andrew Cihocki (Cincinnatus High School) and Santana Deckard (McGraw High School)
2018: Reed Cleland (Homer High School) and Josephine Williams (Homer High School)
2017: Abigail Bowker (Cortland High School) and Emma Murphy (Homer High School)
2016: Julia Marshall (Cortland High School) and Samantha Oakley (Marathon High School)
2015: Harmony Johnson (Homer High School) and Charisse Farley (Cortland High School)
2014: Kennedy George (Homer High School) and Alice Jenkins (Homer High School)
2014: Kennedy George (Homer High School) and Alice Jenkins (Homer High School)
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