New Trier Junior Will Join U.S. Senate This Fall Without Receiving a Single Vote

A New Trier High School junior will be working in the halls of Congress this September as one of 30 students from across the country to be chosen to participate in the U.S. Senate Page Program, according to the school.

Elli Sweet will be part of the program this fall semester, working as the page for Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK), who nominated her for the position. Inhofe selected Sweet based on grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation and an essay.

“The Senate Page Program provides a unique opportunity for high school students who have a desire to learn and contribute to our nation’s legislative process,” according to Inhofe’s website. “Selected students work with some of the nation’s most prominent leaders in a capacity which allows them to experience a variety of new ideas, perspectives and issues.”

The program runs from September through January, and Sweet will attend the Senate Page School while she's there.

Sweet, who studies Hebrew at New Trier, has been active in state and national politics, canvassing for Gov. Bruce Rauner during his 2014 gubernatorial campaign and volunteering for Marco Rubio's presidential bid this year. She also is a part of New Trier's various dance teams and programs, as well as being involved with Maot Chitim, the B’nai Brith Youth Organization and C-Teen.

Eventually, Sweet hopes to pursue a career in either politics, law or business, and she is looking forward to participate in the page program and be "part of the much bigger system of representation" in Washington, D.C., she told her alma mater.

PHOTO: Elli Sweet (New Trier High School)

Like What You're Reading? Stay Patched In!

• Get News Alerts, Join Facebook Pages and Learn About Patch
• Learn how to create a Patch user account
• Like our Crime page on Facebook
• Live Traffic and Transit Updates