At just 16 years old, DCS junior Anna Lowry is making the most of the many opportunities Duanesburg offers to explore potential career paths, building a résumé full of valuable hands-on experience that would impress any college or future employer.
Anna is already considering majors in engineering, public policy, or pre-law, with the long-term goal of attending law school and pursuing a career in aviation or aerospace law. While she doesn’t need to make any final decisions until next year, she is currently exploring colleges such as Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Stevens Institute of Technology.
She currently serves as an ex-officio student member of the district’s Board of Education, an experience that she has thoroughly enjoyed this year. “I love being involved and informed about what’s going on in our school and thinking about how that can impact students. It is definitely preparing me to work in public policy or law because I get to practice public policy and advocacy firsthand,” she said.
During her time at Duanesburg High School, Anna has challenged herself by enrolling in accelerated and Advanced Placement courses, including AP Research with Mrs. Rebecca Pless.
For her research project, Anna examined how the election cycle model used in the United States influences legislative action. This winter, she learned that her work was chosen to be published in the International Journal of Youth-Led Research. Mrs. Pless noted that the project took Anna nearly six months to complete and praised her for embracing such an ambitious endeavor, adding that she demonstrated remarkable independence and initiative throughout the process.
Lowry said she was drawn to the topic after watching the 2024 U.S. presidential election unfold and observing the disarray she felt it caused across different branches of government. “I really wanted to explore that phenomenon using numbers and create new tools for understanding how elections impact the laws that affect our everyday lives,” she explained. Check out Anna’s article here!
Through a recommendation from her social studies teacher, Mrs. Ashley Sigond, Lowry recently had the opportunity to spend a day with other students from the Capital Region with N.Y. Senator Patricia A. Fahy (46th District) at the State Capitol Building in Albany. During the visit, Lowry had the opportunity to present a mock bill she created to the senator as part of a team-based activity.
“The most impactful part of the experience was being able to go on the Senate floor, which was a very rare opportunity. It was so interesting to see the senator’s work desks and the inner workings of the Senate up close. It was also nice to connect with other students interested in public policy and government and hear some of their proposals,” she said.
This year, Lowry tried something new by serving as one of two co-hosts of the daily morning newscast at the Jr.-Sr. High School. “Doing the newscast is something I never even considered, but my counselor, Mrs. Goebel, recommended it to me, and I love it! It’s a great way to build confidence in my public speaking skills,” she said.
Lowry is grateful for the opportunity to explore potential career paths and credits her DCS teachers and other school staff for being involved and dedicated.
“From publishing my research, to applying to different career exploration programs, I have always been able to go to them for help or advice, which has helped me to explore and pursue so many new opportunities,” she said. “I have also benefited from small class sizes and forming close, personal relationships with my teachers. I appreciate that my teachers send opportunities my way, when it’s something they know I will be interested in.”
“Anna’s journey at DCS perfectly reflects the vision outlined in the upcoming NYSED Portrait of a Graduate, which emphasizes preparing students not just academically, but as well-rounded, adaptable, and civically engaged individuals,” said Duanesburg High School Principal Jodi Marvin.
“By jumping into everything from AP research to morning announcements, Anna has stepped beyond the textbook to become a confident and effective communicator. Her ability to adapt to new challenges and think critically about the world around her is exactly the kind of growth mindset we strive to foster in all our graduates here at DCS.”