South Dakota students visit Washington, D.C.

The 63rd annual Washington Week was held March 1-8 for the 2025 delegates of the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP). The USSYP is a unique educational experience for outstanding high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service. During Washington Week, delegates are invited to the nation's capital to deepen their understanding of the federal government and are able to meet with those who lead it.

This year, delegates from South Dakota were Champ Baumgarten of Jefferson High School in Sioux Falls and Sheridan Voorhees of Sully Buttes High School in Onida.

Speakers at Washington Week included high-profile leaders, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senate Historian Dr. Katherine Scott, and Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough.

Baumgarten and Voorhees also met with their own senator, Majority Leader John Thune. To learn more about the USSYP, visit ussenateyouth.org.