Students selected for youth program

Posted: Thursday, February 9, 2012 5:00 pm

Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker recently announced the names of the two students who have been selected as delegates to the 50th anniversary United States Senate  Youth Program (USSYP) that will be held March 3-10, 2012, in Washington, D.C. Ramie Fathy of Knoxville and Benjamin Herron of Dresden were chosen from across the state to be part of the group of 104 student delegates who will attend the program’s 50th Anniversary Washington Week.
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 was “to increase young Americans’ understanding of the interrelationships of the three branches of government, the caliber and responsibilities of federally elected and appointed officials, and 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 104 of the most outstanding high school students — two from each statee, 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 Heart Foundations provide each of the 104 student delegates  with a $5,000 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. 234; no government funds are utilized.
Ramie Fathy attends Farragut High School and serves as National Honor Society treasurer. He is a member of Knoxville’s Youth Action Council, science club treasurer, Muslim Youth of Knoxville president and freshman, sophomore, and junior class president. He is also a member of the Student Government Association, Mu Alpha Theta, HOSA, Spanish club, and quiz bowl. Ramie is head of his school’s Welcoming Committee and co-founder of the school’s Welcoming Committee and co-founder of the school’s branch of Model United Nations for which he is treasurer and secretary.
Benjamin Herron attends Dresden High School and serves as senior class representative on the Student Council. An Eagle Scout, Ben is co-founder and president of the Dresden High Political Club and vice president of the science club.
He has lettered all four years on the cross country team. He is also a member of Beta Club, DECA, HOSA and Mu Alpha Theta. Ben is a volunteer ACT tutor at the high school and plans to attend college in the fall of 2012.
Published in WCP 2.7.12