New York State Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky stands before an audience filled with Greenburgh students in grades 11 and 12 on the Woodlands Middle High School auditorium stage. At her side are three students, Cidney Bien-Aime, Caroline Davis, and Jamison Stevens. Each takes a turn reciting a single line of the oath of office to the Assemblymember. She listens as they speak, then repeats their words.
“I, MaryJane Shimsky,” reads Caroline.
“I, MaryJane Shimsky,” repeats Assemblymember Shimsky.
“Do solemnly swear,” reads Cidney.
“Do solemnly swear,” repeats Assemblymember Shimsky.
“That I will support the Constitution of the United States,” reads Jamison.
“That I will support the Constitution of the United States,” repeats Assemblymember Shimsky.
“The Constitution of the State of New York,” reads Caroline.
“The Constitution of the State of New York,” repeats Assemblymember Shimsky.
“And that I will faithfully discharge the duties,” reads Cidney.
“And that I will faithfully discharge the duties,” repeats Assemblymember Shimsky.
“As a member of the New York State Assembly,” reads Jamison.
“As a member of the New York State Assembly,” repeats Assemblymember Shimsky.
“92nd District,” reads Caroline.
“92nd District,” repeats Assemblymember Shimsky.
“According to the best of my abilities,” reads Cidney.
“According to the best of my abilities,” repeats Assemblymember Shimsky.
Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky held her swearing-in ceremony at Woodlands Middle High School on Friday morning. As the assemblymember for District 92, MaryJane Shimsky represents most of the Town of Greenburgh, the Town of Mount Pleasant, and a portion of northwest Yonkers. The ceremony opened with the pledge of allegiance led by WHS 11th grader Vanessa Franklin, a performance by Mr. Kennedy’s WHS Jazz band, and a warm welcome from Dr. Iverson, Superintendent of Schools. “It gives me immense pleasure as Superintendent of Schools to welcome you to this onsite swearing-in ceremony for MaryJane Shimsky,” she said. “You are here to witness this ceremony as a learning experience. MaryJane Shimsky has Greenburgh in her heart. We are honored to have been asked to host this special program on our very own campus.”
In addition to the Woodlands upperclassmen, audience members included Board of Education Vice President Christine Valin and Trustees Julie Allongue, Erin Jacobsen, Adonia Manns, District Administrators, town officials, WHS faculty and staff, and special guests New York State Congressman George Latimer and County Executive Ken Jenkins. After concluding the swearing-in, Congressman Latimer emphasized the meaning to the students. “The swearing-in is a ceremony that has a purpose,” he said. “It’s a commitment being made, a promissory note. We owe you something with this opportunity to be in public office because it affects your lives.”
Leading the oath was a special privilege for the three upperclassmen. But for Cidney, Caroline, and Jamison rising to the occasion comes naturally. Cidney is the Student Council Vice President, Caroline is the National Honor Society Vice President, and Jamison is the Captain of the Varsity Basketball team and a WMHS My Brother’s Keeper member. “It felt really special to be part of it,” said Caroline Davis, WHS 11th grader. “I am interested in law and policy, so to have the opportunity to participate in the ceremony and engage with elected officials was significant.” Mr. Smith reinforced this message, extending it to the entire student audience. “Students, you have the opportunity to participate in something very rare,” he said.
For Assemblymember Shimsky, it was an honor to share this moment with the Woodlands High School upperclassmen. “It always means a lot to me when I come into the schools. You learn a lot about government in school and how it can be used as a force for good in our community and in our world,” she told the students. “As elected officials, we have to make sure that the next generation does better than we do.”
Following the swearing-in, the student witnesses had the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session with Congressman Latimer, County Execute Jenkins, and Assemblymember Shimsky. The Greenburgh students were thoughtful and forthright in their questions which ranged from wanting to know about their journeys to office, how to understand the role of local officials in relation to the federal level, and advice on how to pursue a future in government. “Find what you are passionate about,” said Assemblymember Shinsky. “Be involved with your community. You also need a circle of people who you can rely upon to give you an honest answer.” County Executive Ken Jenkins offered this advice to the students, “Participating and being engaged and involved is important. Being here at this ceremony and participating in this process is so important.”
One student, Jordan, asked a question based on his experience working in the Greenburgh Town Clerk’s office. “How do you maintain productivity with others who might have conflicting ideologies?” he asked. In her answer, Assemblymember Shimsky explained the process of passing a bill. “Most of what we do in the assembly takes 76 people to agree. 76 out of 150 members is a simple majority and will pass just about anything,” she said. “The first thing that is important is communication. We have to be willing to talk to each other, work out our differences, and compromise to the extent possible.”
Assemblymember Shimsky then posed a question back to the Woodlands students. “Jordan, would you be able to explain to your classmates a couple of things you have learned by working in the clerk’s office about being effective in government?” she asked. “Collaboration is very important among the different branches,” he replied. “When working in the attorney’s office, it was interesting to see how information spreads. It’s cool to see how the government works on a local level and then to see how it works on higher levels like state, federal, judicial, and legislative.”
Near the end of the question session, a student wanted to know how they, as young people, can understand how events in Washington DC affect New York. To which Assemblymember Shimsky responded, “Things that a good school like Woodlands High School is trying to teach you is how to formulate questions and ask questions about what you’re seeing and the material you’re reading. Critical thinking skills, questioning data sources, legalities, and then measuring it against your beliefs, opinions, and lived experiences.”