Millburn Student Joins The Senate

MILLBURN, NJ — Millburn senior Ranen Miao is spending the week in the nation's capital with Senator Robert Menendez and Senator Cory Booker in representing New Jersey during the 57th annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP).

Miao was selected from among the state’s top student leaders to be part of the 104 national student delegation who will also receive a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate study. The program ends March 9.

The USSYP was created by Senate Resolution 324 in 1962 and has been sponsored by the Senate and fully funded by The Hearst Foundations since inception. Originally proposed by Senators Kuchel, Mansfield, Dirksen and Humphrey, the impetus for the program as stated in Senate testimony is "to increase young Americans’ understanding of the interrelationships of the three branches of government, learn the caliber and responsibilities of federally elected and appointed officials, and emphasize the vital importance of democratic decision making not only for America but for people around the world."

Each year this extremely competitive merit-based program brings 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 student with a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship with encouragement to continue coursework in government, history and public affairs. Transportation and all expenses for Washington Week are also provided by The Hearst Foundations; as stipulated in S.Res.324, no government funds are utilized.

Miao, a senior at Millburn High School, serves as the president of his school's Key Club. He is passionate about government, philanthropy, and community service, and is one of twelve members of the USA Debate Team. He is an officer for his school’s High School Democrats of America club, Peer Leaders program, Debate team, Make A Wish club, and edits for his school newspaper. He plans to study political science in college with a minor in economics or philosophy. Ranen hopes to one day give back as a public servant.

While in Washington the student delegates attend meetings and briefings with senators, members of the House of Representatives, Congressional staff, the president, a justice of the Supreme Court, leaders of cabinet agencies, an ambassador to the United States and senior 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.

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. Now more than 5,700 strong, alumni of the program continue to excel and develop impressive qualities that are often directed toward public service.

Among the many alumni are:

• Senator Susan Collins, the first alumnus to be elected U.S. senator;
• Senator Cory Gardner, the second alumnus to be elected U.S. senator and the first to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives;
• former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, the first alumnus to be elected governor;
• former Chief Judge Robert Henry, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit;
• former Ambassador to West Germany Richard Burt
• former presidential advisor Thomas "Mack" McLarty
• former presidential advisor Karl Rove.

Members of the bipartisan U. S. Senate Youth Program 2019 Senate Advisory Committee: Senator Joni K. Ernst of Iowa, Republican Co-Chair; Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Democratic Co-Chair; Advisory Members: Susan M. Collins (R-ME), Steve Daines (R-MT), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), John Kennedy (R-LA), Michael F. Bennet (D-CO), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). Each year, the Honorary Co-Chairs of the program are the vice president of the United States and the Senate majority and minority leaders.

For more information visit: www.ussenateyouth.org

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