Alumna Speaks on Youth Engagement Curriculum on BronxTalk TV

Alesandra is an alumna of The Laboratory School for Finance and Technology, a CollegeBound Initiative partner school.

Originally broadcast on BronxNet on June 30, 2025

Ready, set, action! Alesandra C., a recent graduate of Lab School for Finance and Technology, was recently featured on local news station BronxNet to share her experience with the NYC Department of City Planning’s Youth Engagement curriculum. Alongside Jack Darcey, the Department of City Planning’s transportation planner, Alesandra reflected on learning about the role of city planners and providing input to city officials on plans that impact her community’s quality of life.

Incorporating Youth Voices in City Planning

As part of the eight-week curriculum, students developed planning proposals to address issues they identified in their neighborhoods, including challenges related to housing, transportation, and public space. Students went on site visits to city government offices, nonprofits, and community boards to learn about city planning and decision-making processes. At the end of the semester, over 70 Lab School students shared their research and project proposals with city officials and community stakeholders in science-fair style presentations.

Local Focus: The Hub and Roberto Clemente Plaza

Alesandra’s team chose to study The Hub, an area with high-density transportation options and foot traffic. “Us being local students, who walk through that area every day to go to school and go back home, it was really important for us to look at an area that we are familiar with and hone in on issues that we are very aware of.” She discovered business improvement districts and the local BID’s role in maintaining public spaces. “We had a vision for The Hub. A big inspiration was from the Union Square Market, because a big part of the Hub is the street vendors,” said Alesandra. “We proposed relocating them across the street to the Roberto Clemente Plaza so that pedestrians can walk freely through the area. We proposed street lamps for safety and with emergency boxes so people feel safer walking through at night.”

Alesandra served as president of the Student Council during her time at Lab, and she is eager to begin her college journey. She will attend Pace University this fall to pursue a degree in childhood education. Congratulations, Alesandra!