Two Maine students will travel to Washington, D.C. for a week in March to serve as delegates to the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP).
Zachary Duperry of Portland and Carolyn Liziewski of Gray were chosen from across the state to be part of the group of 104 student delegates who will attend the program’s 52nd annual Washington Week.
The USSYP was created 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. It has been sponsored by the Senate and fully funded by The Hearst Foundations since inception.
Each year, this competitive merit-based program brings 104 of the most outstanding high school students — two from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity — 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.
In addition to outstanding leadership abilities and a strong commitment to volunteer work, the student delegates rank academically in the top one percent of their states among high school juniors and seniors.
Zachary Duperry is a senior at Deering High School in Portland and serves as president of his Senior Class and the Key Club and co-president of the Outdoors Club. In addition, he plays varsity soccer and volunteers as a math tutor. His future plans include attending college to study biology, history, or political science.
Carolyn Liziewski is a senior at Catherine McAuley High School in Portland. She serves on the Student Body Executive Board, and is captain of the Mock Trial Team and Math Team, and is the business editor for the yearbook. She has served as a United States Senate Page through Senator Susan Collins’ office. Carolyn is interested in combining her interest in public policy and love for math in her studies at Princeton.
Chosen as alternates to the 2014 program were Matthew Reale-Hatem, a resident of Scarborough who attends Cape Elizabeth High School, and Nicholas Shedd, a resident of Cape Elizabeth who attends Cape Elizabeth High School.
While in Washington, the student delegates will attend meetings and briefings with Senators and Congressional staff, the President, a Justice of the Supreme Court, leaders of cabinet agencies, an Ambassador to the United States and top members of the national media. The students will also tour many of the national monuments and several museums and they will stay at the historic Mayflower Hotel in downtown Washington, D.C.
Now more than 5,000 strong, alumni of the program continue to excel and develop impressive qualities that are often directed toward public service. Among the many distinguished alumni are: Senator Susan Collins, the first delegate to be elected U.S. Senator; New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, the first delegate to be elected governor; and Congressman Cory Gardner, the first delegate to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
For more information, contact Maine DOE Social Studies Content Specialist Kristie Littlefield at kristie.littlefield@maine.gov or 624-6828.