The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) announces that high school students Mr. Rishi Hazra and Ms. Claire Anne Michal joined Senator Patty Murray and Senator Maria Cantwell in representing Washington during the 61st annual
USSYP Washington Week, held March 4 — 11, 2023. Rishi Hazra of Sammamish and Claire Michal of Marysville were selected from among the state’s top student leaders to be part of the 104 national student delegation.
Each delegate will also receive a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate study.
The alternates, Ms. Madhumitha Gandhi, a resident of Snoqualmie,
who attends Mount Si High School, and Ms. Dwija Adamala, a resident of Olympia, who attends Olympia
High School, will receive $250 from AWSP to help with their higher education costs. Read the full press release to learn more about the winners and the program
. To learn how to apply in the future,
read AWSL's USSYP page
.
Contact Information: For questions about Washington's delegates, alternates, or selection process, email Roz Thompson or Julie Woods or reach them by phone at (360) 357-7951. For general information about the United States Senate Youth Program, email Program Director
Ms. Rayne Guilford
or reach her by phone at (800) 425-3632.
Winners
Rishi Hazra | Rishi HazraRishi Hazra is a Senior at Skyline High School in Sammamish, Washington. He leads environmental efforts within his community on the Issaquah and Sammamish Community Boards and has engaged in research and written articles related to science,
the environment, and student voice. Rishi plans to study Environmental Policy and Chemistry in college and eventually pursue a law degree. He also intends to run for public office in the future. |
Claire Michal | Claire MichalClaire Michal is a Senior at Marysville Getchell High School in Marysville, Washington. She is the Founder and President of the Future Voters Club, the President of the Business and Marketing Club for DECA and FBLA, and participates on
her school’s basketball and track teams. Claire’s goal is to serve our country as a diplomat, and her passion for this has been fueled by her studies of American history and government. In college, she plans to pursue a
degree in International Relations with a possible minor in Political Science or Arabic. |
Alternates
Madhumitha Gandhi
Madhumitha Gandhi is a Senior at Mount Si High School in Snoqualmie, Washington. She is a Coalition Leader for the Empower Youth Network and a student representative on the Snoqualmie Valley School Board. Madhumitha also participates in many different
clubs, such as Speech and Debate, National Honor Society, Key Club, and Diversity Club. She intends to study Computer Science in college so she can use technology to help improve the lives of others.
Dwija Adamala
Dwija Adamala is a Senior at Olympia High School in Olympia, Washington. She is the Capital Region Vice President for FBLA, a TEDx Lead Organizer for her school, the President of the Speech and Debate Club, and an officer in the National Honor Society.
In college, Dwija intends to complete a double major in Computer Science and Economics and Public Policy. After that, she plans to attend law school and will continue to work on social justice issues within communities.