Mahi Malladi (left) and Gianna Frank (right).
Each year, the William Randolph Hearst Foundation sponsors two high school juniors or seniors from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia to attend the United States Senate Youth Program—an all-expense paid, week-long tour of Washington, DC and to receive a $10,000 scholarship.
In Washington state, AWSP administers the program. Through the Association of Washington Student Leaders (AWSL), AWSP sponsors the seven week-long High School Summer Leadership Camps for student body officers, class officers and other student leaders. A selection process is identified and implemented at each camp session, with two students being selected as finalists for the Senate Youth
Program scholarships from each camp. There is also an opportunity to apply online if a student doesn’t attend a camp.
Read on to learn more about our 2023-24 winners: Mahi Malladi, junior at The Overlake School in Redmond, and Gianna Frank, senior at Marysville Pilchuck High School in Marysville.
Mahi Malladi
Junior at The Overlake School in Redmond
What is a takeaway from your experience as a United States Senate Youth, and how will you use that to become a better, more effective leader?
During Washington Week my question of why our government often takes time to pursue changes was answered. Associate Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan pointed out that what the public desires may not be aligned with the values of our country, and as the week went on I realized that the polarization that we, the public, are drenched in, is even more exacerbated at a national level should conversation be ignored. Pursuing legislation and decisions without understanding each other’s reasoning and respective humanity will only foster the divide of an even more fractured America. Regardless of ideology, we have all faced problems in our lives and have sought various solutions to them; we must honor those opinions and continue to ask questions instead of argue.
How did the Association of Washington School Leaders camp or program help you or contribute to your success as a leader?
For the last three years and even now, I continue to be impressed with the dedication, creativity, and passion of the students involved in AWSL. Their everlasting hope and generosity in bearing the burden of the resistance of their school’s administration to ensure future students experience a safer school is admirable and without their support I wouldn’t have had the strength to pursue the necessary changes in my city and school. These monthly zoom meetings, though only an hour, always remind me that thought struggles are inevitable in the future, so is our resilience to face them head on with collective support.
Why would you encourage others to get involved in government and leadership?
One of my takeaways from this week is that our country’s leaders don’t do the work they do because it’s easy—I saw firsthand how difficult it is to maintain the values upon which our country was founded with while remaining accountable to us, the American people. This week cemented my belief that as American people with multi-faceted identities and experiences, we owe it to each other to preserve the integrity of our nation and ensure future generations will live in a safer country whether that be as leaders in your family, city, or even your country at a national level. Difficult work is gratifying work because it takes such courage to alter systemic issues and listen to various perspectives.
Gianna Frank
Senior at Marysville Pilchuck High School in Marysville
What is a takeaway from your experience as a United States Senate Youth, and how will you use that to become a better, more effective leader?
Going into the Senate Youth Program, I was overwhelmed with a sense of impostor syndrome. The word intimidated would not do justice to the situation. In a ballroom full of 102 other students from 49 different states with vast knowledge and background in government, intimidated was an understatement. Even though my demeanor and mindset at the beginning of the week were a little timid, I gradually opened up throughout the week. Slowly, I began to demonstrate who I was and why I belonged with my fellow delegates. I had earned my spot and soon after realizing that, I began to exemplify my true leadership skills. That experience helped me become a more effective leader because I learned the value lesson of you have to doubt yourself to find yourself.
How did the Association of Washington School Leaders camp or program help you or contribute to your success as a leader?
The AWSL program gave me the platform and the preparation I needed to succeed as a leader. It not only taught me the importance of servant leadership but also taught me that the best leader is not always sometimes the loudest in the room. You have to be methodical and intentional with the interactions and connections you make with people because you may never get that opportunity again. The AWSL camp however is a completely different, life-changing experience. Camp takes you away from the world and allows you to find yourself as a leader and as a person. You grow and learn from amazing leaders and discover what type of leader you want to become that reflects your character.
Why would you encourage others to get involved in government and leadership?
Government is what makes this country run. Without it, we would have no structure or ideology in which we conduct manners. The innovativeness with which our generation holds is something that will be needed as we develop as a country. Leadership is all around us. It does not matter if you are in management at your job or if you are the leader of the free world, leadership comes with any position of power. For this country to become stronger and more prosperous, we need leaders in the world.