Students Headed to Washington, D. C. and to Receive $5,000 Scholarship--
Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey today announced the names of the two Massachusetts students who have been selected as delegates to the 52nd annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) that will be held March 8 – 15, 2014 in Washington, D.C. Troy Bridson of Hanover and Jonathan Mack of Longmeadow were chosen from across the state to be part of the group of 104 student delegates who will attend the program’s 52nd annual Washington Week.
The USSYP was created by Senate Resolution 324 in 1962 and has been sponsored by the Senate and fully funded by The Hearst Foundations since inception. Originally proposed by Senators Kuchel, Mansfield, Dirksen and Humphrey, the impetus for the program as stated in Senate testimony was ?to increase young Americans’ understanding of the interrelationships of the three branches of government, the caliber and responsibilities of federally elected and appointed officials, and the vital importance of democratic decision making not only for America but for people around the world.
Each year this extremely competitive merit-based program brings 104 of the most outstanding high school students — two from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity — to Washington, D.C. for an intensive week-long study of the federal government and the people who lead it. 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 of the 104 student delegates 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.
Troy Bridson attends Hanover High School and serves as the president of the Class of 2014. Troy has served as his Class president and has pitched on the baseball team for 4 years. He is on the School Advisory Council and is treasurer of his school’s National Honor Society. He helped plan and establish the first school-wide Community Service Day. Troy has represented Hanover at the Massachusetts State Science and Engineering Fair, the START Leadership Conference and the EMC Star Leadership Camp. He is a peer mentor, tutors homeless students, has interned in the Hanover Selectman and Town Manager’s offices and is presently employed at the Hanover Town Hall in the Community Services Department. Ranked 3rd in his class, Troy plans to pursue his passion for history in college and graduate school.
Jonathan Mack attends Longmeadow High School and serves as the secretary of the
Class of 2015. Jonathan feels strongly that service is a virtue. As such, last spring he served as
Hampden County Coordinator on a Special Senate campaign. Jonathan drew from his
experiences as class officer, athlete, and graduate from Georgetown Summer School to direct
volunteers from across western Massachusetts. He now uses those skills as he volunteers with
his church Youth Ministry. Jonathan intends to take these experiences and others to college and
one day to public service in his community and state.
Chosen as alternates to the 2014 program were Matthew Leighton, a resident of North
Reading, who attends North Reading High School and Daniel Vernick, a resident of Belmont,
who attends Belmont High School.
The chief educational officer in each state selects the delegates after nomination by
teachers and principals. This year’s delegates were designated by Dr. Mitchell D. Chester,
Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education.
While in Washington the student delegates will attend meetings and briefings with
Senators and Congressional staff, the President, a Justice of the Supreme Court, leaders of
cabinet agencies, an Ambassador to the United States and top 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 rank academically in the top one percent of their states among high
school juniors and seniors. Now more than 5,000 strong, alumni of the program continue to
excel and develop impressive qualities that are often directed toward public service. Among the
many distinguished alumni are: Senator Susan Collins, the first delegate to be elected U.S.
Senator; New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, the first delegate to be elected governor;
Congressman Cory Gardner, the first delegate to be elected to the U.S. House of
Representatives; former Chief Judge Robert Henry, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit;
former Ambassador to West Germany Richard Burt, and former Presidential Advisors Thomas
"Mack" McLarty and Karl Rove. Additional notables include former Lt. Governor of Idaho David
LeRoy, former President of the Progressive Policy Institute Robert Shapiro, military officers,
members of state legislatures, Foreign Service officers, top congressional staff, healthcare
providers and university educators.
Members of the USSYP 2014 52nd annual Senate Advisory Committee are:
Co-Chairs: Senator Jon Tester of Montana and Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee;
Advisory Committee: Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Senator Joe Manchin III of
West Virginia, Senator Patty Murray of Washington, Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico, Senator
Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota, Senator Richard Shelby
of Alabama and Senator David Vitter of Louisiana. Each year, the Honorary Co-Chairs of the
program are the Vice President of the United States and the Senate Majority and Minority
Leaders.
