Two Students Selected as Delegates for Annual U.S Senate Youth Leadership Program
October 8, 2014
For the first time in Diamond Bar history, junior and senior Grade Level Coordinators have offered upperclassmen a chance to participate in the United States Senate Youth Program. Seniors Rochelle Sun and Sabrina Liang were chosen out of the many participants to move on toward the next phase of the competition and represent Diamond Bar against the rest of California.
Junior GLC Marc Natividad was in charge of the process, offering it for those interested in leadership, government, and politics.
“This particular opportunity allows students to be involved,” Natividad addressed. “The students must be well-rounded and show leadership outside of just school clubs.”
The program allows two students from each state to participate and earn a chance to win a one week trip regarding political education and experience our nation’s capital in action. The 50 finalists will get to meet senators, cabinet members, officials from various departments, representatives from NASA, and a Supreme Court justice. All of the trip’s expenses are paid by the Hearst Foundation, which has been funding this leadership education program for 53 years.
“This is a great opportunity for students,” senior GLC Sonja Burns said. “Those who are big into leadership and government can visit D.C. There’s also a $5,000 scholarship chance. Who wouldn’t want that?”
In order to qualify, competitors must write a minimum of four essays chosen from 11 topics, all of which relate to politics, media, government, and the environment. The contestants will also have to write a letter to a newspaper editor and to the local government. Most students who apply must have some knowledge regarding politics and must be involved in a leadership position for an educational club to apply for this program. Leadership position include commissioner in USB and state officers from national clubs such as Future Business Leaders of America and Technology Students’ Association.
To determine the two representatives that will compete against the other high schools, DBHS opened up a mini-competition within the school. However, the competition at Diamond Bar was not easy. Several requirements were the deciding factors in becoming the winner: leadership positions in clubs, jobs of the leadership position, and number of community service hours outside of school.
“I have an interest in politics… [so] this program was right up my alley,” Sun stated. “I hope to inspire the youth who engage in government, politics, and world relations.”
“Although the prompt was sent out late, I thought the time provided enhanced my excitement and motivation,” Liang said. “I aspire to major in international relations.”
The competition will now continue to the next phase as the state selects two students through a strenuous process of reading essays and arranging interviews to see who is most fit to represent the state.
