Guilderland High School junior Dylan Mabee has been selected to participate in Students Inside Albany, a competitive civic education program sponsored by the League of Women Voters of New York State Education Foundation. The program offers high school students a firsthand look at how state government works and how public policy is shaped.
Mabee first learned about the opportunity through his Advanced Placement U.S. History teacher, Mrs. Rudolph, who shared the announcement with her classes. Already interested in government and politics, Mabee was immediately drawn to the program’s focus on civic engagement and public service.
His interest in government has been shaped by his involvement in March for Our Lives, a student advocacy group focused on common‑sense gun regulation. Through lobbying efforts at the State Capitol, Mabee gained insight into the complexities of policymaking and the long, detailed process behind turning ideas into law.
“I realized how many steps there are—how an idea becomes a bill, then moves through committees, budgets and negotiations,” Mabee said. “Even small changes can take years.”
Learning he was one of only two students chosen countywide left Mabee feeling excited and humbled, though he said he was a little disappointed that a deserving friend was not selected.
Mabee hopes the experience will give him tools and connections to better serve his school and community, particularly on issues like school funding and student resources. Looking ahead, he plans to major in public policy or political science and pursue a career in public administration.
“Programs like Students Inside Albany are important because they give young people a voice and a real understanding of how change happens,” Mabee said. “It empowers us to make a difference now—not someday.”