WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (June 9, 2026) — The Westchester County Board of Legislators has welcomed its second class of students to the Herman S. Geist Fellowship Program, a paid summer internship offering high school and college students firsthand experience in county government and public service, including two fellows from New Rochelle High School.
Juan Barajas, a student at Hobart College, and Noa Essner, a student at Vanderbilt University, are among this year’s fellows representing communities across Westchester.
Fellows will spend the summer working in legislators’ offices, assisting with constituent and policy-related projects, learning about the legislative process, and gaining insight into how county government serves residents. In addition to office assignments, fellows will participate in group activities, special projects, a mock legislative session, and public safety and health training.
The fellowship officially began with an orientation program June 1 at the Board of Legislators, where fellows received an introduction to the board’s role in county government and met legislative, fiscal, communications, and administrative staff.
Board Chairman Vedat Gashi (D–New Castle, Ossining, Somers, Yorktown) said the program gives fellows an opportunity to see county government up close while carrying forward Herman Geist’s legacy.
“Through their work with legislators and staff, they’ll gain valuable experience while helping to carry forward Herman Geist’s legacy of leadership and service to Westchester,” Gashi said.
The program is named for Herman S. Geist, the first chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators and a lifelong public servant whose contributions helped shape county government and civic institutions throughout the county. The Board established the fellowship in 2025 to honor Geist on the occasion of his 100th birthday.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.
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