Ortt honors Niagara Falls student with Senate Youth Leadership Recognition Award

Submitted by the Office of New York State Sen. Rob Ortt

New York State Sen. Rob Ortt presented Niagara Falls High School student Harjyot Kaur with a New York State Senate Youth Leadership Recognition Award. Harjyot’s nomination came from Cari Dubois, an educator within the Niagara Falls City School District.

Harjyot has an impressive resume, including: 

√ Appointed as the first student representative for the NFCSD to represent the student body on the Board of Education.

√ Providing feedback for districtwide policies/students concerns and educational initiatives while on the Board of Education.

√ Worked as a liaison between students and district officials to advocate for the needs of students, and highlighted communication within the groups.

√ Contributed opinions for the NYS phone policy, student achievement and school events during board meetings.

√ Spoke to the media regarding the impacts of device use in the school community and breaking it down from a student perspective.

√ Featured with Gov. Kathy Hochul in a roundtable discussion and in the Niagara Falls School District newsletter.

√ Volunteering in the community. 

“It’s wonderful to be able to present the New York State Senate Youth Leadership Recognition Award to such a deserving student here in Niagara Falls – it’s evident Harjyot is a dedicated student, advocate for her fellow classmates, and steward for her community,” Ortt said. “Harjyot embodies the hard work of many of the students here in Senate District 62, and it makes me proud knowing that we have outstanding educators and great students who will be future leaders in our communities.”

The New York State Senate’s Youth Leadership Recognition Award program honors outstanding students. Eligible students include current sophomores, juniors and seniors who excel academically and through leadership in extracurricular and volunteer activities. 

Nominations for students across New York were submitted by school educators and administrators.