The 59th Annual USSYP Senate Reception – Online!

Washington Week 2021 pivoted the annual Senate Reception to Zoom, and 87 senators conducted virtual meetings to congratulate and encourage their home-state student leaders, often taking many questions. We thank all senators for their participation and the personal connection provided during this unusual program year.

To view all 2021 Senate Reception attendees click here.

Delegates In Their Own Words

“Justice Clarence Thomas said that there’s not a big distance between where we currently are and where we aspire to go. I can now go forward unafraid of the big world in front of me, realizing that while it seems daunting to me, it looks small to astronauts on the International Space Station: It all depends on one’s perspective.”
Lucia Enriquez, TN – 2021

“The USSYP taught me that a slow progression of change is how we can build the nation that we want for the future. Although we are seniors in high school, our impact starts now.”
Josie Kaufman, SD – 2021

“When President Biden addressed our group, his message on the importance of prioritizing togetherness and cooperation seemed more necessary than ever for a group of young leaders who have come of age in a political climate charged with hostility.”
Jax Nalley, AR – 2021

“Astronaut Scott Kelly stated something that inspired me greatly: When he was preparing to start the journey to become an astronaut, he told himself that he may as well fail at something bold. That is what I am going to do — shoot for the moon and see what happens.”
Seth Jarvis, KS – 2021

“When the topic of polarization in politics arose, Senator James Lankford really struck a chord with me, stating, “When we are serving the most, we are fighting the least.” To me, this philosophy should be at the heart of all of those in Congress and public service.”
Victoria Richard, RI – 2021

“When I flip through my USSYP notebook in the future, I will be reminded that civility is not only possible, it is necessary and beautiful.”
Katherine LaReau, IN – 2021

“Noah Harris’ speech blew me away with its candor. He perfectly summed up the importance of the United States Senate Youth Program as a stepping-stone for dedicated student leaders to become the public servants our country needs most. “
Marissa Meador, IN – 2021

“I think all of us, regardless of our prior expectations and beliefs, learned something from Senator James Lankford. We were, we are and we became a community that represents the diversity of America’s youth and a community dedicated to learning from public servants in the hopes that we too, one day, can serve and help in our own way.”
Jonas Rosenthal, CO – 2021

“Dr. Anthony Fauci said, ‘You’ve got to evolve with the evolution of the situation.’ This has got to be the perfect summary of the first virtual Washington Week, a wonderful product of this horrifying pandemic we are living through. In times where finding the light is difficult, becoming one of the 104 delegates of the United States Senate Youth Program was the greatest light.”
Meghna Chandrasekaran, MD – 2021

“I have always been a proponent of compromise, and this Washington Week experience confirmed that level-headed dialogue is possible given the right external conditions and mutual application of respect.”
Christopher Lidard, MD – 2021

“The United States Senate Youth Program might seem distinguished by its traditions, but their innovation this year has provided me with a leading example of how cemented ideals can be molded to best accommodate the needs of a dynamic cohort, giving us a political lesson, as well as a humanitarian one.”
Joanna Bieda, NV – 2021

“Judge Robert Henry’s passion for change in a historically unequal state resonates with my future aspirations to reform institutions in the South. His words made me excited and hopeful for the future of equity in various governmental organizations!”
Anna Dean, AR – 2021

“I hope to someday return to D.C.—not just as an observer of my government—but as a changemaker within it.”
Steve Mirabello, D.C. – 2021

“As I prepare to leave my bubble of comfort and head to college, I will carry with me a quote repeated by Mr. Brian Kamoie: What will you do with your one wild and precious life? For now, I plan to spend my one wild and precious life leading with courage and conviction and, as he advised, daring to believe in myself.”
Mythili “Tilly” Krishna, VT – 2021

“Our Military Mentor, Air Force Major Boston McClain, modeled for us diligence, respect and how to navigate difficult conversations – affirming that we always deserved to be in the room. Everyone in his group could recite his favorite piece of advice by the end of the week: ‘Shoot your shot. Make them tell you no.’”
Yvin Shin, IL – 2021

“Personally, I think we push for change because we love our country and its people. I saw this love when Senator Tammy Baldwin spoke to us about her passion for ensuring her community had access to affordable healthcare.”
Sabine Mead, VA – 2021

“It is safe to say that the lessons that Norah O’Donnell taught us from writing handwritten thank-you notes to never fearing those who fear you will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
Daisy Farrell, AL – 2021

Official Senator and Student Delegate Roster

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Family, Foundation, Legacy

For 59 years, the United States Senate Youth Program has brought thousands of America’s brightest young leaders to Washington, returning them home with insight into the history and heritage of their democracy and encouragement to be leaders of the future. Each year the students leave with lasting impressions of their week including new friendships and bonds that many term “life-changing.” Although they did not live to see the program’s creation, the progenitors of The Hearst Foundations are with the USSYP delegates each year in spirit.

1820

An exemplar of American success, George Hearst, born in 1820, was raised in a log cabin on his parents’ farm in Franklin County, Missouri. He went west to seek a future in mining, and through industry and acumen developed the family fortune. Answering the call to public service, he served in the California State Legislature representing San Francisco and was appointed to the U.S. Senate in 1886, won election to that seat in 1887 and served as U.S. senator until his death in 1891. His wife, pioneering philanthropist Phoebe Apperson Hearst, distinguished herself as one of America’s most accomplished women, dedicated to historic, educational and children’s causes. She co-founded the National Parent Teachers Association in 1897 and was instrumental in the reclamation and rehabilitation of George Washington’s Mount Vernon property. After she died one educator said, “Her charities were as broad as the sea and as silent as the quiet of the night.”

1863

William Randolph Hearst, their only child, was born in 1863 and became one of the great legends of American journalism, establishing vast media holdings at the forefront of new communications technologies, including radio, television and specialty magazines. He was an avid student of history and politics. Hearst newspapers detailed the history of the 20th century, and his public service included two terms as a Democratic congressman from New York. During his life, he gave millions of dollars to colleges, hospitals, kindergartens and museums, and in the decade before his death he established the charitable foundations that bear his name.

1962

The United States Senate Youth Program was envisioned by William Randolph Hearst’s sons, George R. Hearst and Randolph A. Hearst, who worked with the Senate leadership of the day – Senators Kuchel, Mansfield, Dirksen and Humphrey – to establish and authorize the program in 1962. Since inception, the Senate majority and minority leaders and the vice president of the United States have served as the program’s honorary co-chairs; two senators, one of each party, serve as annual co-chairs and an eight-senator bipartisan panel serves as the annual Advisory Committee. The Hearst Foundations fully fund and administer all operational aspects of the program including college scholarships and yearly grants to the state departments of education to support the selection of delegates. Hearst family members maintained strong leadership of the program through the decades, and they continue the tradition of avid personal support to this day.

2012

The USSYP celebrated its 50th anniversary with a gala event at the National Gallery of Art during the 2012 Washington Week with delegates, alumni and distinguished guests in attendance.

Today

The Hearst Foundations, now in its 70th year, continue to support numerous charitable and educational organizations across the country. The Foundations’ two flagship initiatives are the United States Senate Youth Program and the annual William Randolph Hearst Journalism Awards Program, founded in 1960, to encourage journalistic excellence and to support education at accredited undergraduate schools of journalism nationwide.

More info
about the Hearst
foundations

The William Randolph Hearst Foundations

William Randolph Hearst III
President

DIRECTORS

James M. Asher

Anissa B. Balson

David J. Barrett

Frank A. Bennack, Jr.

John G. Conomikes

Lisa H. Hagerman

George R. Hearst III

Gilbert C. Maurer

Mark F. Miller

Virginia H. Randt

Mitchell Scherzer

Steven R. Swartz

Paul “Dino” Dinovitz
Executive Director

George B. Irish
Eastern Director

UNITED STATES SENATE
YOUTH PROGRAM

Rayne B. Guilford
Program Director

Lynn DeSmet
Deputy Director

Caroline Berver
Program Liaison

Denise Cohn
Program Manager

Sarah T. Mishurov
Social Media Manager

Sponsored by the
United States Senate

Funded and Administered by
The Hearst Foundations

The Hearst Foundations
90 New Montgomery Street
Suite 1212
San Francisco, CA 94105
www.ussenateyouth.org

Photography by
Jakub Mosur and Erin Lubin

Designed by
Hearst Communications, Inc.