Senators Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning recently announced that Casey McGowan, a student at Russell County High School, has been selected as a delegate to the 47th Annual United States Senate Youth Program that will be held March 7 – 14, in Washington, D.C.

McGowan, of Jamestown, was chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the group of 104 student delegates who will attend the program’s 47th Annual 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.

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 state, 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 foundation grants each of the 104 student delegates a $5,000 college scholarship with encouragement to continue coursework in government, history and public affairs.

Transportation and all expenses for Washington Week are provided by the foundation, as stipulated in S.Res.324; no government funds are utilized.

Casey McGowan is the daughter of Mary Bradshaw and Jackie McGowan. She is the Future Farmers of America Scholarship Chairperson and attends Russell County High School.

Casey is a 2008 Rogers Scholar who participates in Student YMCA, the Future Problem Solving Team, the Academic Team, PRIDE Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and varsity soccer.

She is the Academic Team MVP, Parliamentary Procedure regional winner and Future Problem Solving regional 3rd place winner. Casey participates in the Project FACE mentoring program, Project clean streams, FFA blood drive and she teaches at vacation bible school.

Casey plans to attend college majoring in Biology or Chemistry and minor in political science.

While in Washington, the student delegates will attend meetings and briefings with Senate leadership, other Senators and congressional staff;  the President, a Justice of the Supreme Court, leaders of cabinet agencies, an Ambassador to the United States and top members of the national media.

The students will also tour many of the national monuments and several museums and they will stay at the historic Mayflower hotel in downtown Washington, D.C.

In addition to outstanding leadership abilities and a strong commitment to public service, this year’s students rank academically in the top one percent of their states.

They continue to excel and develop impressive qualities that are often directed toward public service.

Advisory Committee – Senator Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut, Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri,

Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming, Senator John B. Ensign of Nevada, Senator Richard G. Lugar of Indiana and Senator Mel Martinez of Florida.