Schools
West Bloomfield Students Chosen for U.S. Senate Program
High Schoolers Jacob Podell and Chloe Pan will receive scholarships from The Hearst Foundations and an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., where they will meet top government officials.
(Source: West Bloomfield School District)
The only two students chosen for the prestigious United States Senate Youth Program from the state of Michigan are both from West Bloomfield High School, Jacob Podell and Chloe Pan. In addition to outstanding leadership abilities and a strong commitment to public service, the students generally rank academically in the top one percent of the state.
Both students are currently on the Law Club Executive Board and are former AP (Advanced Placement) Government students. The program is merit based and highly competitive. They had to write essays on public policy and take a test as part of the application process.
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“Both students are amazing and real go getters,” said WBHS government teacher Alycia Chase. “They will represent us and our state well.”
The program, established in 1962, is a unique educational experience for outstanding high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service. The program brings the highest-level officials from each branch of government together with an outstanding group of high-school students. Two student leaders from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity will spend a week in Washington experiencing their national government in action.
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The annual program will be held in Washington, D.C., from March 9-16, 2013. Student delegates will hear major policy addresses by Senators, cabinet members, officials from the Departments of State and Defense and directors of other federal agencies. They will also participate in a meeting with a Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Each session with elected officials includes an in-depth question and answer period.
All transportation, hotel and meal expenses will be provided by The Hearst Foundations. In addition, each delegate will also be awarded a $5,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies, with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science.
More info on the program can be found on their website at hearstfdn.org/ussyp.
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