Trumansburg Global Humanism students to attend UN conference 

A group of students from Charles O. Dickerson High School in Trumansburg are set to leave their mark at the United Nations International School-United Nations (UNIS-UN) student-led conference. 

The 17 high school students attending the conference, which runs from March 17-20 at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York, are part of the Global Humanism class and club. This year’s conference will focus on artificial intelligence and its effects on the world.

“This will be our fourth year going to this particular conference,” said Jane George, the teacher who helms the class and the club. “This conference we enjoy the most, because it’s an amazing learning opportunity for students. Most of the other students at the conference come from all over the world, so it’s a really amazing opportunity for our students to interact with people from other countries.”

The conference, as well as George’s class, is designed around the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals:

• No poverty 
• Zero hunger 
• Good health and well-being
• Quality education
• Gender equality
• Clean water and sanitation 
• Affordable and clean energy
• Decent work and economic growth
• Industry, innovation and infrastructure
• Reduced inequalities 
• Sustainable cities and communities
• Responsible consumption and production
• Climate action 
• Life below water 
• Life on land
• Peace, justice and strong institutions 
• Partnerships for the goals

“The class and the club serves a lot of purposes for students, and it’s an amazing opportunity for them also to practice their presentation skills, and develop professional rhetoric,” George said. 

The class and club focus on sustainability and human equity. 

“We discuss a lot about current events and what’s happening in the world. Once we get the topic for the conference we start honing in on that,” George said. “So we’ve been focusing on AI and the use of AI to better the world. We’ve also looked at the downsides: How could AI potentially become an issue? How is it helpful? What benefits does it have?”

The club and class also provide an opportunity for students to travel and broaden their horizons, George said.

“It is also an opportunity for them to get to travel and see what that feels like. When you go to the United Nations, it really feels like you’re kind of entering a very different New York City,” George said. “They actually get to sit in the General Assembly Hall, where the diplomats sit, and make pretty big decisions for the world. So it’s really an amazing opportunity for them to sit in those seats and see what that feels like to be in that space and in that room.”

The students also fundraised the costs for the trip, George noted.

“The students also do a lot of critical writing and they get into a lot of guided discussions,” she added. “Then we also do community projects whenever we can. We try to get out in the community and work with local businesses.”

Grace Olney, a Charles O. Dickerson High School senior who will be attending her second UNIS-UN conference this year, said that she is excited for the trip.

“The best part of the trip for me [last year] was the opportunity to get to know international students and experience the environment of the United Nations General Assembly Hall,” Olney said. “Global Humanism has been a very inspirational club for me and has sparked my passion of combating social injustices. I’d like to thank Mrs. George for all the hard work she’s put forth.”

Hope Augustine, a high school senior who will also be attending her second conference this year, said the debates on AI are part of the excitement.

“Last year I had an amazing time, and with the help of Ms. George the trip was even better than I could’ve imagined,” Augustine said. “This club has helped me discover my interest in public policy, and I can’t wait to be in the General Assembly Hall again.”

Ulysses Connection appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com. Contact Eddie Velazquez at edvel37@gmail.com or on X (formerly Twitter): @ezvelazquez.

In brief:

The Tompkins County Department of Assessment mailed renewal applications to property owners who are currently receiving exemptions on Dec. 13, 2024. The mailing included the following applications:

• Low-Income Senior Exemption
• Low-Income Disability Exemption
• Clergy Exemption
• Partial Exemption for Wholly Exempt Properties
• Housing Trust Exemption
• Volunteer Firefighter/Ambulance Worker Exemption
• Living Quarters for Parent/Grandparent
• Agricultural Land Exemption

These applications are due on March 1, except for the Agricultural Land Exemption which is due on April 1, 2025.

Tompkins County has increased its limits for the low-income senior and disability exemption for the 2025 Assessment Roll. The limit is now $44,900 for a 5% exemption and $36,500 for a 50% exemption. 

For more information, the Assessment Department can be reached at 607-274-5517.