Geovany Brown, a Jamestown High School senior, is pictured with fellow high school students and state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli at the Angelo Del Toro Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute, held alongside the annual SOMOS Conference in San Juan.

Geovany Brown, a Jamestown High School senior, recently returned from Puerto Rico after representing the Western New York region at the Angelo Del Toro Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute, held alongside the annual SOMOS Conference in San Juan.

Brown was one of a handful of students statewide chosen to participate in the leadership institute, which focuses on civic engagement, legislative process, and Hispanic and Latino cultural identity. During the conference, student delegates toured the Puerto Rico Capitol building, observed legislative sessions, and met face-to-face with government officials.

Participants stood shoulder-to-shoulder with state leaders, including state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, state Assemblymember Karines Reyes, and state Senator Luis Sepúlveda, discussing issues of education, equity, and community development that affect both New York and Puerto Rico.

Chaperone Lance Weinert, who accompanied the Western New York delegation, called the experience “historic.”

“It was incredible to watch these young adults take part in the first youth panel in SOMOS history,” Weinert said. “They carried themselves with confidence, intelligence, and purpose. Seeing them speak on issues that directly impact their communities was powerful – it showed the future is in strong hands.”

Brown said the opportunity gave him a deeper appreciation for how government and culture intersect.

“It was meaningful to see how culture and government come together,” Brown said. “I learned a lot about how young people can be involved in shaping their communities.”

The Angelo Del Toro Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute is a collaboration among the state Assembly/Senate Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force, the New York State Education Department, and the Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages. The SOMOS Conference annually convenes legislators, educators, and community leaders to address social, economic, and political issues impacting Puerto Rican and Hispanic residents of New York.