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.
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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.
Gianna Frank
Gianna is a senior at Marysville Pilchuck High School, serves as president of the Associated Student Body. She is her school’s band president, the Black Student Union president and the National Honor Society president. She excels in track and field, winning several state medals for shotput. At the moment, she plans to study neuroscience or biology in hopes of becoming a pediatric neurologist, but is also interested in looking at a career in education policy. Gianna will also continue to compete in track and field while in college.
Mahi Malladi
Mahi is a junior at The Overlake School, serves as the Human Services youth commissioner for the City of Redmond where she advises the mayor and Council on budgeting recommendations to enhance quality of life for Redmond residents as well as helps approve funding for nonprofit organizations to serve the community. She represents the student voice as the Diversity, Equity, Justice, and Inclusion student coordinator and the student leader of the South Asian Affinity Space at The Overlake School. Mahi also serves on the Youth Board for the Bellevue Arts Museum to amplify young artists’ voices, is on the Youth Advisory Board for LEAH (Leadership Education in Adolescent Health) at Seattle Children’s Hospital, and volunteers weekly in the Family and Maternity Center at her local hospital. She’s a proud four-year Etsy shop owner selling ethnic dog wear. She plays point guard on her school’s basketball team in the winter and runs half-marathons and competes in triathlons in the summer. Mahi plans to attend university to study policy and social justice followed by law school.Â
