Bruno Estrada, a junior at Information Technology High School in Long Island City, is gaining valuable experience for a future in politics while serving as the Queens Borough President during the second annual YMCA “Teens Take the City” program.
“Teens Take the City” is a 12-week long program that “offers young people hands-on experience in learning how public policy is shaped on a local level, while helping them develop the skills needed to collectively and individually make a difference in New York City.”
This marked the second year that Estrada, a 16-year-old resident of Woodhaven, participated in the program. He said that being elected Queens Borough President this year is one of his proudest accomplishments.
“Bruno is an energetic teen who brings life to my group, always making us laugh but also willing to do his work,” said Julissa Paulino, the Long Island City YMCA Teens Take the City District Coordinator. “He has great aspirations for his future and truly breaks the perception of what teens do for our great city.”
Estrada said that the teens do a mock form of city council, bringing up important issues and bills. Among the issues discussed were funding for a youth employment program, sex-education in schools, guidelines for fast food and controlling violence and drugs by increasing police presence.
“It’s good because I want to be a politician,” Estrada said of the experience.
Estrada is a member of the YMCA Leaders Club, where members discuss various issues while also participating in community service and fundraisers. He is also a member of Queens Borough President Helen Marshall’s youth board.
“We try to make our voices heard within the political community,” he said.
At Information Technology High School, Estrada said that he is planning on trying out for the volleyball team and also wants to get involved with the student government.
Estrada said that his family is his main motivation. He said he wants to make his mother and father proud while also giving his 4-year-old brother and 10-year-old sister someone to look up to.
Following his graduation from high school, Estrada hopes to get a scholarship to Hofstra University, Hunter College or Rutgers University and major in economics. He also has high political goals.
“I aspire to be the governor of New York,” Estrada said. “I’m trying to work really hard at it so I can get in that position.”
Estrada said that he has seen many problems that make him want to hold political office so that he can make a difference.
“If I get elected into a position of power, I want to help people,” he said. “I see a lot of issues out there and I want to be the person that deals with them. This is where I grew up and I want to help out as much as I can.”
As part of “Kids Making a Difference,” State Bank of Long Island will be recognizing local Queens students who are active in assisting their schools and their communities. If you know a student who is making a difference, let us know about it. Contact the Queens Courier at 718-224-5863 x231.
