Medina seniors learn from Nesbitt
BY KATE DANNA
Monday, April 25, 2026



When it comes to state and local government, some might feel they don’t have a voice.

At Medina High School on Friday afternoon, the goal was to convince students that they do.

Assemblyman Charles Nesbitt visited Medina High School where he spoke to 130 seniors taking “Participation in Government.”

Students had the chance to come up with questions to ask the legislator. Questions were then written down and the Assemblyman read them off a piece of paper and answered them.

Students wanted to know about everything from Social Security to education to Medicaid.

Participation in Government Teacher Nick Benedetti said he felt students were interested in the state’s education system and SUNY, being high school seniors, many on the cusp of going to college.

Nesbitt talked about the state’s education system, calling it a net importer of college students and an exporter of graduates.

“It’s one of our great strengths,” he told the kids.

Another question Nesbitt read off asked by one of the students dealt with SUNY schools and what could be done to keep their tuition down. Increases are inevitable, Nesbitt said. The best the state can do is to work to make sure it increases slowly.

Nesbitt also assured students that New York has the most extensive tuition assistance program in the country, with up to $5,000 in grants available per student.

One student asked what the government was doing to attract businesses to Orleans County. Nesbitt explained how the Economic Development Agency works in attracting businesses to the area, using Washington Mutual as an example.

“Lots of effort goes into that type of development,” he said.

Student Dan Wakefield said he learned that Nesbitt works for increasing jobs within the area.

“I think it opened up students minds,” Wakefield said. “Not a lot of students in our school district have a lot of knowledge about government.”

Student James Sinner said he was interested in learning about what an assemblyman does.

“It’s good experience to learn a lot about my state and what goes on in it,” he said.

Nesbitt talked about Social Security, which he said is full of IOU’s and no cash.

“This is something you should be really concerned about,” he told students. “This will affect you.”

Nesbitt then went on to explain that when the students get older, there may not be enough people in workforce to support Social Security.

Nesbitt told kids he became an Assemblyman to try and make a difference for county residents. Early on he realized a disconnection between residents in rural communities and government, he said.

“These kids need to feel a connection to the government,” he said.

It’s important for kids to realize that an Assemblyman doesn’t look or act differently than anyone else, Nesbitt said.

According to Participation in Government teacher Nick Benedetti, the teachers try to get at least one representative to come each semester to talk to the students.

“It is participation in government and one way to participate is to get your representatives here so you can ask them questions about your concerns,” he said.

The interaction was a valuable learning experience for students, Benedetti said.

“Hopefully when they get out of here they have concerns and they can address them,” he said.

Contact Kate Danna at (585) 798-1400, Ext. 2225.
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