By Senator Patty Ritchie
As your State Senator, I often get the opportunity to recognize people in our communities who are making a difference – women, our troops, local leaders and many others.

This month, New York State will honor a group of individuals who are just getting started, students.

February is National Youth Leadership Month.

To recognize this occasion and to honor promising young students who have demonstrated leadership in their communities, the New York State Senate has designed the Youth Leadership Recognition Awards program.

The Youth Leadership Recognition Awards program aims to recognize students who not only excel academically, but also are active in volunteer and extracurricular activities.

Students may ask faculty to nominate them, or educators may nominate junior and senior high school students on their own.

More information on how to nominate a deserving student will be available on my website, www.ritchie.nysenate.gov soon.

Recipients of the Youth Leadership Recognition Award will receive a special certificate and in addition, their stories will be featured on my website.

Nominations must be made electronically and the deadline for entry is March 31.

We have made some very significant strides in getting our state back on track and the next generation of New Yorkers is the key to making sure our state stays continues to grow and prosper.

I look forward to recognizing the recipients of this year’s New York State Senate Youth Leadership Recognition Awards and letting students know that their accomplishments thus far have not gone unrecognized.