District students named as top-ten finalists for U.S. Senate Youth Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, November 21, 2023

BEAUFORT –Two Beaufort County School District (BCSD) students were recognized as U.S. Senate Youth Program (USSYP) semifinalists by The South Carolina Department of Education.

The USSYP, established in 1962 by U.S. Senate Resolution, is a unique educational experience for outstanding high school students. Each year, two student leaders from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity get to spend a week in Washington, D.C., experiencing their national government in action.

Qualified high school junior or seniors must show demonstrated leadership by serving in elected or appointed positions in which they are actively representing or previously represented a constituency in organizations related to student government, education, public affairs and community service.

As top-ten semifinalists, Hilton Head Island High School student Garrett Simons and May River High School student Michaela Torres will undergo in-person interviews. Next, The Hearst Foundations will review state submissions of delegates and alternates. Two students from each state will ultimately be selected to attend the Washington Week program and each student will receive a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship.

SC State Superintendent Ellen Weaver presents BCSD students Garret Simons and Michaela Torres with USSYP semifinalist certificates.

More information can be found at the 2023-24 US Senate Youth Scholarship Program (USSYP) webpage.