Students chosen to represent South Dakota during U.S. Senate Youth Program

Elise Twohy and James Updike, both of Rapid City, were chosen to be part of the group of 104 student delegates who will attend the U.S. Senate Youth Program’s 50th Anniversary Washington Week next month. Joseph Schartz, of Humboldt, and Anthony Husher, of Winner, were chosen as alternates.

Each year this extremely competitive merit-based program brings some of the most outstanding high school students — two from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense schools — 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; no government funds are utilized.

The USSYP was created in 1962 “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.”

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