Senators Grassley and Ernst Announce Senate Youth Program Iowa Delegates
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) are proud to announce that Jack Hostager of Dubuque and Joshua Hughes of New Virginia have been selected to serve as the Iowa student delegates for the 53rd annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP), an interactive week-long study of the federal government. Mitchell Dunn from Davenport and Rekha Karuparthy, of Bettendorf were chosen as alternates. Hostager and Hughes will serve as delegates for the program’s Washington Week from March 7th-14th in Washington, D.C. and will each receive a $5,000 scholarship.
“I am thrilled that the hard work of these outstanding Iowa students is being recognized,” said Senator Ernst. “These students are our future leaders and I commend them for demonstrating such strong commitment to public service and interest in our government.”
“Young people are the key to the strength of our democracy in the future. With this experience, the student delegates will be able to learn about government first-hand,” Senator Grassley said. “I congratulate them on this great opportunity and commend them for their hard work.”
According to the United States Senate Youth Program
“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. In addition to the program week, The Hearst Foundations provide each student with a $5,000 undergraduate college scholarship with encouragement to continue coursework in government, history and public affairs. Transportation and all expenses for Washington Week are also provided by The Hearst Foundations; as stipulated in S.Res.324; no government funds are utilized.
“…The chief educational officer in each state selects the delegates after nomination by teachers and principals. This year’s delegates were designated by Dr. Brad Buck, Director of Education.
“While in Washington the student delegates attend meetings and briefings with Senators, House Representatives and Congressional staff, the President, a Justice of the Supreme Court, leaders of cabinet agencies, an Ambassador to the United States and senior members of the national media. The students will also tour many of the national monuments and several museums and they will stay at the historic Mayflower Hotel in downtown Washington, D.C.
“In addition to outstanding leadership abilities and a strong commitment to volunteer work, the student delegates generally rank academically in the top one percent of their states among high school juniors and seniors.”
For more information on the program, visit www.ussenateyouth.org.
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