LIMESTONE, Maine — Jay Philbrick of Limestone, a student at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics, will join Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King in representing Maine in the nation’s capital during the 57th annual United States Senate Youth Program Washington Week, March 2-9.
Robert G. Hasson Jr., Maine Commissioner of Education, designated Philbrick and Joseph Bergeon of Kennebunk as delegates to the program’s 104-student national delegation from among the state’s top student leaders. The two will each receive a $10,000 college scholarship. Alternates are Lauren Cooper of Dover-Foxcroft and Logan Holt of Brunswick.
The USSYP began in 1962 and has been sponsored by the Senate and fully funded by The Hearst Foundations since inception. Its purpose is to help students understand the interrelationships of the three branches of government, learn the responsibilities of federally elected and appointed officials, emphasize the importance of democratic decision-making and foster a lifelong commitment to public service.
Each year this competitive merit-based program brings 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 Hearst Foundations provide each student with a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship with encouragement to continue coursework in government, history and public affairs. The foundations provide transportation and all expenses for Washington Week.
Philbrick, a junior at MSSM, serves as the treasurer of the Student Senate. He is head tutor in his school’s Learning Center and president and founder of his school’s High School Quiz Show Maine team.
He has been recognized for his academic talents as well through his selection as a Michael P. Fabio grant winner and as a finalist for the Lemelson-MIT grant award. He believes that a degree in economics can help shape a better understanding of public policy and may serve him in a future in public office.
Bergeon, a senior at Kennebunk High School, serves as a student representative on the Maine R.S.U. 21 Board of School Directors, and is a member of the Class of 2019 Executive Council. He was also the 77th youth governor of the Maine YMCA Youth in Government program. During the summer of 2018, he was sponsored by Senator Susan Collins and served as a United States Senate page. Joe is active in his school’s debate team and is a member of the varsity swim team. He hopes to pursue a degree related to international studies and business.
While in Washington student delegates will attend meetings and briefings with senators, members of the House of Representatives, congressional staff, the president, a justice of the Supreme Court, leaders of Cabinet agencies, an ambassador to the United States and senior members of the national media. They will also tour national monuments and museums and they will stay at the historic Mayflower Hotel in downtown Washington, D.C.
Student delegates rank academically in the top 1 percent of their states among high school juniors and seniors.
