TORII STATION, Okinawa, Japan -- The United States Senate Youth Program is sponsored annually by the William Hearst Foundation and is open to any high school junior or senior serving in an elected student government or class officer/representative position. This year a total of 13 students from the Pacific Area entered the first level of competition at their respective high schools. From those applicants, each school chose one candidate to go on to the district level competition. Final selection of each district’s representative was determined by the highest number of points compiled from the candidate’s application, an objective test, a written examination, and a taped interview.

Two students and two alternates from the candidates submitted by participating DoDEA districts worldwide will be selected to represent the Department of Defense Education Activity in an all expense paid visit to Washington, D.C. in the spring of 2006 as guests of the Hearst Foundation. The students will engage in a series of seminars and briefings with Senators and members of the House of Representatives and meet with officials of the executive and judicial branches of government. In addition, the two students selected to represent DoDEA will also receive a $5,000 college scholarship award.

“Thank you to the many administrators, teachers, and counselors who encouraged students to participate and congratulations to all of the applicants for their initiative in completing this rigorous application process,” said Dr. Nancy Bresell, Director, DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam. All applicants will receive a certification of recognition for their efforts.