Local high school students recently participated in a leadership workshop featuring New York State Assembly Deputy Speaker Phil Ramos as part of the Angelo Del Toro Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute (PRHYLI).

During the interactive session, students interviewed the deputy speaker to practice professional communication and gain a deeper understanding of civic leadership.

The PRHYLI program, which operates in partnership with the New York State Education Department and the NYS Assembly Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force, focuses on empowering Latino youth through leadership development and public speaking. For many participants, the program serves as a pathway to earning the New York State Seal of Biliteracy or the Seal of Civic Readiness.

School officials noted that experiences like these are vital for helping students see themselves as informed, engaged community members. The workshop reinforces the school's commitment to experiential learning by connecting classroom concepts to real-world governance and advocacy.