January 9, 2020, Washington, D.C. —The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) announces that high school students Ms. Dana S. Ahmed and Mr. Andre James Ramsey will join Senator Patty Murray and Senator Maria Cantwell in representing Washington in the nation’s capital during the 58th annual USSYP Washington Week, to be held March 7 — 14, 2020. Dana Ahmed of Kennewick and Andre Ramsey of Spokane were selected from among the state’s top student leaders to be part of the 104 national student delegation who will also each receive a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate study.
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 is "to increase young Americans’ understanding of the interrelationships of the three branches of government, learn the caliber and responsibilities of federally elected and appointed officials, and emphasize 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 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 student with a $10,000 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.
Dana Ahmed, a senior at Kamiakin High School, serves as her school's Student Body president. She is also involved in Key Club, Link Crew, the Racial Equity and Social Justice Coalition, and is a member of the Student Voice and Advocacy Committee for the Association of Washington Student Leaders. Dana plans to have a career in medicine and is also interested in studying political science. She hopes to attend the University of Washington in Seattle, Stanford University in California or Howard University in Washington, D.C.
Andre Ramsey, a junior at John R. Rogers High School, serves as the Student Body treasurer. He is the Area 11 president and the vice president of Leadership for Washington DECA, an organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. Andre is the student representative to the Spokane School Board and is a 2019 Carson Scholar. Andre plans to attend Harvard University in the fall of 2021, with a double major in business administration and political science. He hopes to work in both business and politics in the future.
Chosen as alternates to the 2020 program were Ms. Jazzell Petra Tovar, a resident of Grandview, who attends Grandview High School and Ms. Isabella K. Camarillo, a resident of Pasco, who attends Chiawana High School.
Delegates and alternates are selected by the state departments of education nationwide and the District of Columbia and Department of Defense Education Activity, after nomination by teachers and principals. The chief state school officer for each jurisdiction confirms the final selection. This year’s Washington delegates and alternates were designated by Chris Reykdal, State Superintendent of Education.
While in Washington the student delegates attend meetings and briefings with senators, members of the House of Representatives, 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.
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 5,700 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 alumnus to be elected U.S. senator; Senator Cory Gardner, the second alumnus to be elected U.S. senator and the first to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives; former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, the first alumnus to be elected governor; former Chief Judge Robert Henry, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit; former Ambassador to West Germany Richard Burt, former presidential advisors Thomas "Mack" McLarty and Karl Rove, and Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana currently a candidate for president of the United States. Additional notables include former Lt. Governor of Idaho David Leroy, Provost of Wake Forest University Rogan Kersh, military officers, members of state legislatures, Foreign Service officers, top congressional staff, healthcare providers and other university educators.
Questions about your state’s delegates, alternates or state selection process:
Email Roz Thompson or call at (360) 357-7951.
For general information about the United States Senate Youth Program:
Email Program Director Ms. Rayne Guilford or call at (800) 425-3632.