Students in grades 6-12 from the Amityville Union Free School District’s Superintendent’s Student Leadership Council had a unique opportunity to bring their voices directly to the state level on Sept. 22 when New York State Regent Felicia Thomas-Williams visited the district for an interactive conversation about leadership, student voice and creating meaningful change.

 

Thomas-Williams represents Nassau and Suffolk counties as the Regent for New York’s 10th Judicial District and serves on the New York State Board of Regents. During her visit, students learned how decisions made by the Board of Regents can affect their educational experiences, including graduation requirements, learning standards, assessments, student supports and college, career and civic readiness.

 

Rather than a traditional presentation, the session placed students at the center of the conversation. Thomas-Williams challenged students to consider what makes someone a leader, why student voice matters and how young people can influence change even without holding an official title.

 

Students then participated in an “If You Were a Regent…” challenge, working together to answer the question: If you could change one thing about your school or education in New York to help students become more successful, what would it be and why? Each group was asked to identify a change, consider whom it would help and explain its potential impact before sharing its idea.

 

“I created the Superintendent’s Student Leadership Council in 2025 to ensure our students know that their voices matter and that leadership is not defined by a title,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gina Talbert. “Having Regent Thomas-Williams sit with our students, listen to their experiences and engage them in conversations about the issues that directly affect their education was incredibly meaningful. We want our students to understand that they are not simply participants in their education; they can be partners in making it better for themselves and for the students who come after them.”

 

Thomas-Williams also gave students insight into how their ideas can move beyond conversation and toward action. Students explored the importance of clearly identifying a concern, gathering experiences and evidence, sharing ideas with student and school leaders, building support, proposing practical next steps and following through.

 

The discussion reflected Thomas-Williams’ own background in education and student advocacy. A retired principal of Brentwood West Middle School and former 2020 New York State Principal of the Year, Thomas-Williams has spent more than three decades working with children and communities, with a particular emphasis on student leadership and engagement.

 

The visit concluded with a leadership charge encouraging students to use their voices to improve something in their community, seek out perspectives that may be missing from a conversation and turn concerns into concrete next steps. The central message to students was clear: “Your voice matters. Leadership is action. You can influence positive change.”

 

Through the Superintendent’s Student Leadership Council, Amityville students have an avenue to listen to their peers, represent student perspectives, propose solutions and engage directly with district leadership.