CANTON -- Audrey Hayes of Massena, a St. Lawrence University junior, recently visited Capitol Hill to learn more about citizen participation in Congress.

Hayes, who is a member of the Class of 2018 at St. Lawrence University, attended Massena Central High School and is majoring in economics and business in the liberal arts. She is participating in The Washington Center program in Washington, D.C. for the Spring 2017 semester.

Hayes visited the Cannon House Office Building suite of U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik.

Stefanik, serving her second term in Congress, represents New York's 21st district, which encompasses most of Northern New York, including Massena.

Hayes met with Partick Hester, who serves as a senior legislative assistant in the office, and discussed effective ways of citizen advocacy in Congress, including constituent correspondence, in-person meetings in both D.C. and the district offices, and best strategies for engaging Members of Congress and legislative staff.

In addition, they discussed veteran's affairs and the role of Congress in defense appropriations, especially important for New York's 21st district, as the district contains Fort Drum.

This visit was part of The Washington Center's Public Policy Dialogues program, a component of the civic engagement curriculum which helps students understand effective methods of advocacy before Congress.