Thursday, October 1, 2026
Lynbrook High School students will experience Election Day in a new way this fall, casting ballots using official voting equipment as part of their class officer elections through a $2,000 New York State United Teachers Civic Readiness Grant.
The grant, secured through a collaboration between social studies teacher and student government adviser Nicole DiBenedetto and Lynbrook Teachers Association President Craig Kirchenberg, will allow students to participate in an authentic voting experience designed to introduce them to the election process before they become eligible to vote.
“There were tons of options you could do with the grant, but this was something we had talked about doing in the past,” DiBenedetto said. “It was a good opportunity to do that with money we wouldn’t have to spend as a district.”
Instead of voting through a Microsoft Form, as students have in previous years, they will check in using electronic poll books before receiving one of four ballots tailored to their grade level. Students will then cast their votes for class president, vice president, secretary and treasurer using the same type of voting machines used in public elections.
DiBenedetto is working with the Nassau County Board of Elections to prepare the ballots, while the 2026-27 Lynbrook High School Student Government SLATE will help coordinate the election process.
Principal Matthew Sarosy said the initiative will allow students to take what they learn about civic engagement in the classroom and put it into practice.
“This initiative gives our students the opportunity to move beyond learning about civic engagement in the classroom and experience it firsthand,” Sarosy said. “By participating in an authentic election process through student government, students are developing an understanding of the importance of informed decision-making and seeing how their voices can help shape their school community.”
The election process will begin during the first week of school, with elections scheduled for Sept. 17. Students interested in running for office will attend an informational meeting, submit a teacher recommendation and campaign platform, and receive approval before campaigning begins. Their platforms will be shared through school communications, and DiBenedetto hopes to expand publicity through social media.
“I hope they’ll see what it looks like to be an active citizen,” DiBenedetto said. “By having every student vote during their social studies classes and having kids campaign more, there will be more excitement and buzz around it.”
DiBenedetto said members of the 2026-27 high school SLATE, who were elected in June, are already looking forward to helping organize the election.
The project also complements the school’s broader focus on civic engagement. Lynbrook seniors have the opportunity to earn the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness by completing projects that address community needs.
As one example, DiBenedetto said students in John Cornicello’s AP Government class wrote a letter to Mayor Alan Beach last year requesting improvements to the crosswalk outside the high school. The effort led to the installation of blinking lights on a nearby stop sign to improve pedestrian safety.
Kirchenberg, who learned about the grant through NYSUT, worked with DiBenedetto throughout the application process before presenting the grant award to the district.
“I hope the kids enjoy doing it — the campaigning, the voting — because it’s something fun and different that they’re not used to,” DiBenedetto said.
