Polson student selected for United States Senate Youth Program
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News from the U.S. Senate Youth Program
HELENA — Superintendent Denise Juneau today announced the two students who have been selected as delegates for the William Randolph Hearst Foundation’s 52nd annual U.S. Senate Youth Program.
Sharidan Russell of Polson and Rachel Skaar of Helena have been chosen from across the state to represent Montana at the program’s 52nd annual Washington Week.
Russell, a senior from Polson, is involved in several community service projects and is a leader in her church’s youth group. A National Honor Society member, she enjoys debate, public speaking, working on the school newspaper, sports, writing and memorizing poems. She intends to study Arabic and government with a goal of teaching in the Middle East. She also plans to pursue political journalism or be a press secretary. “Of course, running for office is not entirely off the table,” Russell said.
Skaar, a senior from Helena, Montana, is a Key Club president, a member of the National Honors Society, and involved in politics, including working as a page in the Montana House of Representatives and volunteering in a major political campaign.
State departments of education choose the 104 high school juniors and seniors for the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP). The two students from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the nation’s capital the week of March 8-15. Each student delegate receives a $5,000 college scholarship for undergraduate education with encouragement to continue coursework in history, government and public affairs.
Student delegates will hear major policy addresses by Senators, cabinet members, officials from the Departments of State and Defense and directors of other federal agencies, as well as participate in a meeting with a Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
“These talented students are already making a difference in their schools and communities,” said Superintendent Juneau. “I have no doubt they will go on to do great things in the future and continue to be a positive representation of the remarkable young people who grow up in Montana.”
In the event one or both of the delegates are unable to attend, first alternate Anna Middleton of Big Sky and second alternate Aidan Wade of Helena have been selected.
The program was established by the U.S. Senate in 1962 to expose student leaders to the federal government and the U.S Senate. The overall mission of the program is to help instill within each class of USSYP student delegates more profound knowledge of the American political process and a lifelong commitment to public service.
For more information on the U.S. Senate Youth Program, please visit: www.ussenateyouth.org
