When it comes down to education and achievement, Massapequa Park resident Tricia Caputo has the answer to both of them: get involved.

Most recently, Tricia was among 15 students from Nassau Community College who traveled to Albany to lobby state senators and assemblymen for higher education.

"I went up to Albany with the president of Nassau Community College and other student leaders in support of higher education," said Tricia. "In other words, for more money."

Tricia, a Class of '96 graduate of Massapequa High School, is currently the features editor for NCC's student newspaper, Vignette. Since high school, this life-long Pequa resident has been one of the most active students at NCC. Last year, Tricia worked on Luna, NCC's literary magazine, Vignette as opinions editor and business manager, was a member of NCC's Irish-American Club, all the while working for a local florist on Park Blvd. and interning for county music radio station WMJC. She still works for WMJC.

She says that her time is well spent when involved in extra-curricular activities. "Instead of [just] traveling to-and-from school, it [joining clubs] is a whole new learning experience," said Tricia.

Reggie Tuggle of NCC College Relations said that Tricia's, and other students, input generally helped the cause that they were advocating. "What's important is that for the legislators, this really put a human face on the students. We're just administrators, but when students put out their ideas it's much more effective."

NCC President Sean Fanelli added, "Tricia and her peers painted a real life picture of what it's like paying tuition bills."

While in Albany, Tricia met with New York State Assemblyman Steve Labriola, whom she interviewed last year for the Massapequan Observer. The two discussed some of the issues that the lobby group was asking for help with. "Ms. Caputo was a terrific citizen lobbyist on behalf of higher education," reflected Labriola after speaking with Tricia.

They, the student lobbyists, were asking for an increase from the State of New York of $150 for each full-time student. At that level, the cost to the state would be $13 million. But Nassau Community College, being one of the most populous colleges in the SUNY system, would receive $2.3 million.

As the funding is set up now, student tuition provides 33.2 percent, county and local revenue provides 36.6 percent and the State of New York provides 25.8 percent of the revenue. "The idea was to explain to the legislators the need to address the funding inequalities in higher education," said Fanelli.

Another issue that the student lobbyists were requesting included a $5 million statewide appropriation for technology.

Overall, the requests of the students, according to those who participated, were received by the legislators from Nassau County very positively. "I think that they were openly optimistic in regards to what we were looking for," said Student Government President Rob DeCicco. "They usually hesitate and say, 'well, we'll look into it.' This time they said 'yes, we can see this being accomplished.'"

"I found the legislators to be extremely receptive to the issues that were brought before them," said Lynn Rubin, a member of NYPIRG. "Everyone was very supportive of Nassau Community College in helping the students."

Many of the students participating said that they felt that their involvement made a major impact. "Not only do I feel that I made an impact in the decisions made by legislators on the higher education matters," said Heather Schubert, a member of NYPIRG. "I had a lot of fun doing so because I got to talk to the people who make things happen."

Tricia added that her involvement in Lobby Day and other extra curricular activities is what keeps her motivated and in the right direction. "I don't want to be in the norm," she said. "I want to do more with the time I have."

Tricia plans to attend Hofstra University next year to study communications.