Alameda County Students Amongst U.S. Senate Youth Program Winners

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today announced the names of the two high school students who will represent California in the 58th annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP).

Violet Wang, a senior at Casa Grande High School in Petaluma, and Arushi Avachat, a senior at Foothill High School in Pleasanton were selected for their leadership qualities, scholastic achievement, and strong commitment to their schools and communities.

“These students have demonstrated exceptional leadership. I am impressed and inspired by what they have already accomplished in their young lives,” Thurmond said via a released statement. “They have a strong passion for public service and activism and desire to make a difference in the lives of others. I am confident that they will make the most of this opportunity, continuing to make positive contributions, and be excellent representatives for California.”

The students will each receive a $10,000 scholarship and attend a one-week all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. next March.

Thurmond also named two alternates in the event that one or both of the delegates are unable to attend. The first alternate is Olivia Brooke Sally, a senior at Oakland’s Bishop O’Dowd High School, and the second alternate is Nathan Viotti, a senior at Menlo-Atherton High School of Menlo Park.

The goal of the USSYP program is to provide a yearly opportunity for selected students to gain an in-depth view of the Senate and the federal government overall as well as a deeper understanding of the interrelationship of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. The program is sponsored by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation

To qualify for the program, high school juniors or seniors must be actively serving in an elected or appointed leadership position in which they are representing a constituency in organizations related to student government, education, public affairs, and/or community service as well as express an interest in pursuing a career in public service. Students are then nominated to the California Department of Education (CDE) by their school principals and after review the State Superintendent announces the year’s winning names in early December.

The two delegates and two alternates are scheduled to be recognized by the State Board of Education during its January 8–9, 2020, meeting in Sacramento.

Further information on the USSYP program and application process can be found on the CDE’s webpage at: https://www.cde.ca.gov/eo/in/us/index.asp