Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School junior and senior government students received a lesson in community service when Suffolk County Legislator DuWayne Gregory, Babylon Town Councilman Antonio Martinez and Lieutenant Colonel/Babylon Town Councilwoman Jacqueline Gordon visited the students this past December.
To begin the day, Legislator Gregory and Lieutenant Colonel Gordon had breakfast with a number of student leaders. “During breakfast, the students found common ground with our local elected officials, and many made a personal connection,” remarked teacher Alline Torrey. Following the breakfast, the students entered the auditorium for a three-part lecture series, followed by a question-and-answer session.
Legislator Gregory discussed his lifetime dedication to public service and explained the responsibilities of a Suffolk County legislator, while emphasizing the value of education and discussing how his college degree in justice and public policy helped open many doors for him.
Councilman Martinez engaged the students in the Socratic method of lecturing by asking them questions about their knowledge and interests. He explained the struggles that he has faced as an El Salvadorian immigrant and related them to the experiences of many of the students in attendance. “The students were quite receptive to his energetic demeanor,” said Ms. Torrey.
Lieutenant Colonel Gordon concluded the lecture series in her capacity as Babylon Town Councilwoman. The councilwoman, who was deployed to Afghanistan a few weeks following the presentation, dressed in her full uniform and explained the many roles she has lived in life. She discussed her role as a learner, a teacher, a guidance counselor, a soldier and, most importantly, a mother. She spoke of the sacrifices she has made for herself, her family and her country throughout her life, and emphasized the importance of doing things for the right reason.
“This event, and those like it, serves to provide our students with good role models and shows them how to give back to the community,” noted Ms. Torrey.
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