Idaho students named U.S. Senate Youth Program delegates describe program, urge school supports

Members of the Idaho Senate Education Committee heard from four student finalists for the United States Senate Youth Program and a State Department of Education official who described the national program and its scholarship awards.

The United States Senate Youth Program, established by U.S. Senate resolution in 1962, sends two student delegates from each state to Washington, D.C., for a week of meetings with federal officials. Superintendent Critchfield said the delegates also receive a $10,000 college scholarship. "The 2 delegates will also be awarded a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies," the superintendent told the committee.

Adalie Elam, a student from Fruitland High School and one of Idaho's two delegates, said she was "super honored to be 1 of the delegates" and is "super excited to be able to meet with both cabinet members and Supreme Court justices, hopefully the president and other members in our US government." Elam said she has not decided between pre-law or pre-med study after graduation but is "looking forward to hopefully running for positions in public service in the future."

Jenny Hammond of Emmett High School, the other delegate, said the experience has already given her skills that helped with college and scholarship applications. "I'm walking away with far more than a scholarship. The interviews and the essays and this entire program has taught me skills that I know and I have already seen will help me in the next bit of my life after graduation," Hammond said. Hammond said she plans to major in business administration and then attend law school.

Alternates Nick Mendez of Caldwell High School and Mason Gibbons (listed as attending a Waihi High School and living in Eagle) also spoke. Mendez, who said he will attend Stanford University in the fall, recommended strengthening teacher supports and expanding career and technical education (CTE) options, saying teacher care and CTE courses "have been incredible" for student success. "Any teacher that truly cares...has been really monumental in connecting with students and making sure they succeed," Mendez said.

Gibbons, an alternate and a U.S. Naval Academy appointee planning to study nuclear engineering, said that although his immediate plans are military, he would "definitely consider going into civil service and running for office" after a naval career.

Two additional students addressed the committee about how to improve education. Nicholas Mendez emphasized teacher support and CTE expansion; Frances Camille of Wood River High School praised the Idaho State Department of Education's emphasis on career pathways and suggested changes to extracurricular structures so students who must work can participate in student leadership.

Committee members asked the students procedural questions about eligibility and college plans, and the committee chair invited students to continue sharing ideas on improving education. The committee did not take any formal action related to the presentation; the session moved on to bills after the students' remarks.

The students will attend the national program in Washington, D.C., later in the month, and the committee closed the agenda item by wishing them well.