Westchester students headed to prestigious NY girls' conference
(This story was updated to add new information.) Two Masters School juniors were nominated by separate American Legion posts to represent Westchester at a national girls' leadership conference. Clover Graves and Julia Panos, both 16, were selected to represent Westchester County at Empire Girls State 2026, a week-long leadership program sponsored by the American Legion at SUNY Brockport. Approximately three hundred 11th grade girls are nominated by American Legion posts from counties across New York and selected to simulate their own state government to learn about civic engagement and political leadership. Out of several nominees from each county, it is rare to have two students from the same school get picked for participation. Peter Newcomb, Head of the Masters Upper School in Dobbs Ferry, said the nomination and acceptance of both students was purely a coincidence, but it highlights the strong culture of civic engagement fostered at the private school. "The Masters School is proud to have Julia Panos and Clover Graves elected to represent the school at Girls State. Both students are dynamic leaders who exemplify our motto of “being a power for good," Newcomb told the Journal News. Rachael Gatling-Felsenfeld, chair of Girls State for Westchester County, said
Westchester County, NY · 02-20
