US Senate Youth Program Selects DoDEA-Europe High School Students for 59th Annual Washington Week

Strategic Insights -

DoDEA-Europe high school students Caden Richard Burkman and Amanda Marie Wills have been selected to represent the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) during the 59th annual US Senate Youth Program (USSYP) Washington Week, to be held March 14 - 17, 2021. The program, which has been held annually since 1962, brings together outstanding high school students to study the federal government and its leaders. This year, due to the pandemic, the program will be held online, providing a unique opportunity for the selected students to engage with government leaders and expand their knowledge of the American political process.

Key Takeaways:

  • Caden Richard Burkman and Amanda Marie Wills, both high school juniors, have been selected as DoDEA representatives for the 59th annual USSYP, which will be held online from March 14 - 17, 2021.
  • The two students will join a national delegation of 104 student leaders, each receiving a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate study, courtesy of The Hearst Foundations.
  • Caden Burkman is a junior at Stuttgart High School in Germany, where he serves as vice president of the Junior class and treasurer/publicist of National Honor Society, among other roles.
  • Amanda Wills is a junior at Alconbury Middle High School in England, serving as president of the Junior Class and ambassador for the Model UN Club, among other roles.
  • The USSYP was created in 1962 by Senate Resolution 324 and has been sponsored by The Hearst Foundations since inception, with the aim of increasing young Americans' understanding of the federal government and its leaders.
  • The program provides each student delegate with a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship to pursue coursework in government, history, or public affairs.
  • Delegates and alternates for the 2021 program were selected by state departments of education, the District of Columbia, and DoDEA, with Caden Burkman and Amanda Wills designated by DoDEA Director Mr. Thomas M. Brady.

Statistics:

  • 104 national student delegates will participate in the 59th annual USSYP Washington Week.
  • Each delegate will receive a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate study, courtesy of The Hearst Foundations.
  • DoDEA has designated Caden Burkman and Amanda Wills as its representatives for the 2021 program.
  • More than 5,800 alumni of the USSYP program continue to excel and develop impressive qualities that often lead to public service.
  • The USSYP has been held annually since 1962, with this year's program being the first-ever fully virtual Washington Week.

Sources:

  • Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA)
  • United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP)
  • Senate Resolution 324 (1962)
  • The Hearst Foundations