HODGSON, DELMAR STUDENTS TO REPRESENT DELAWARE AT SENATE YOUTH PROGRAM
Two students will represent Delaware as delegates to the 52st annual United States Senate Youth Program in Washington, D.C., in March.
Secretary of Education Mark Murphy selected Tiddy Mauti, a Hodgson Vocational Technical School senior, and William Bounds, a Delmar High School senior, as the First State’s delegates. U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons announced the names.
Both delegates serve as their senior class presidents. Mauti also is state president of Delaware’s Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) association, National Honor Society president and a supporter/volunteer for numerous nonprofits and charities, including Special Olympics, Stockings for Soldiers, Relay for Life and Toys for Tots. Already having earned her CNA certification, she plans to pursue a career in psychiatric pharmacy. Bounds is president of his local chapter of the Business Professionals of America and a volunteer with numerous charities and drives within his school, including organizer of a school blood drive. He plans to pursue a degree in computer/electrical engineering and be active in politics.
Appoquinimink High School’s Nicholas Laughman was selected as an alternate. Alexander Ribgy, a student at Charter School of Wilmington, originally was selected as a delegate but is unable to attend the program.
“In addition to their outstanding academic accomplishments, these students also have demonstrated a commitment to volunteering and public service,” Murphy said. “This program will give them the opportunity to build their knowledge and grow their skills so they can continue to lead in their schools, community and our state.”
During Washington Week, March 8 to 15, the delegates will attend meetings and briefings with Senators and Congressional staff, the President, a Justice of the Supreme Court, leaders of cabinet agencies, an Ambassador to the United States and members of the national media. The students, who will stay at the historic Mayflower Hotel, also will tour national monuments and museums.
The competitive, merit-based program brings together 104 top high school students – two from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity – for an intensive, week-long study of the federal government and those who lead it. The students rank academically n the top one percent of their states among high school juniors and seniors and have shown outstanding leadership abilities and commitment to volunteer work.
The aim is for delegates to complete the program with a more profound knowledge of the American political process and a lifelong commitment to public service. The chief educational officer in each state – the Secretary of Education in Delaware — selects the delegates after nomination by teachers and principals.
Transportation and all expenses are paid for by the Hearst Foundations, which also provides each of the 104 student delegates with a $5,000 undergraduate college scholarship with encouragement to continue coursework in government, history and public affairs.
