Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) today congratulated Khayree Fitten of Mount Pleasant and Riley Kilburg of Bellevue, two Iowa students who have been selected as delegates to the 49th annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP). The program includes a week-long educational trip to Washington, D.C. and a $5,000 scholarship. The goal of the program is to increase young Americans’ understanding of the interrelationship of the three branches of government.
“Congratulations to Khayree and Riley – I applaud them on their outstanding academic qualifications and interest in public service,” Senator Harkin said. “This program will help give them an up-close look at the workings of government, and serves as a great starting point for a career in public service.”
“This program is a great opportunity for Khayree and Riley to gain a more in-depth understanding of all three branches of the federal government,” Grassley said. “The experience they have in this program should strengthen their already strong commitment to public service.”
Khayree and Riley were chosen from applicants across the state to be part of the group of 104 student delegates who will attend the program’s 49th annual Washington Week. The program will be held March 5 – 12, 2011 in Washington, D.C. 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 —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 Hearst 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.324; no government funds are utilized.
Khayree Fitten is Student Council representative at Mount Pleasant Community High School. He has been involved in student government and community service for most of his high school career, including with the State of Iowa Youth Advisory Council and the Iowa Youth Congress. He attended the National Youth Leadership Conference in 2009. Khayree has been involved in the political process since he was in 7th grade, volunteering in various campaigns.
Riley Kilburg is Student Body president at Marquette Catholic. He has been actively involved in his community by volunteering over 150 hours of community service including work in a local homeless shelter. A National Honor Society member, Riley also represented Iowa as a National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Youth Tour Representative and remains active in sports, speech and Students Against Destructive Decisions.
Chosen as alternates to the 2011 program were Scott Syroka, a resident of Johnston, who attends Johnston High School and Colette Clark, a resident of Fairfield, who attends Maharishi School.
The chief educational officer in each state selects the delegates after nomination by teachers and principals. This year’s delegates were designated by Mr. Kevin Fangman, Acting Director of Education.