Bolingbrook HS Senior Chosen For U.S. Senate Youth Program

BOLINGBROOK, IL — Bolingbrook High School senior Miriam Tsegay has been chosen to represent Illinois in the United States Senate Youth program, according to a news release.

Miriam is one of two students from Illinois selected to the program, and one of 104 nationwide. As part of the program, Miriam will spend a week in Washington, D.C., and attend meetings with President Donald Trump, U.S. senators including Illinois Senators Richard Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, a justice of the Supreme Court, leaders of cabinet agencies, and other officials throughout the week, according to a news release.

Miriam will also receive a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate study.

The USSYP was founded in 1962 by the sons of William Randolph Hearst and the senate leadership
of the day -- Senators Kuchel, Mansfield, Dirksen and Humphrey – in response to the deep divisiveness and national anxiety following the McCarthy era, a release states. They outlined a plan to encourage America’s most talented young people to consider public service as an important, life-long, and noble pursuit, sponsoring Senate Resolution 324, which passed unanimously.

Each year, the competitive, merit-based program chooses two outstanding high school students from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity.

The Hearst Foundations have fully funded the program since inception; as stipulated, no government funds are utilized, according to a release.

Miriam serves as a student member on the Valley View District School Board where she has introduced ideas such as providing a sports psychologist for high school athletes and the band, as well as implementing college preparation classes, according to a news release. She has interned for her local representative, Illinois Deputy Majority Leader Natalie Manley and served as a United States Senate page, sponsored by Senator Tammy Duckworth.

Miriam also serves as secretary general for her school’s Model UN club, plays on the girls’ varsity soccer team, and competes on the speech team. She is a Children’s Ministry volunteer at Calvary Church on the weekends, where she spends time with children from diverse backgrounds. After graduating, Miriam would like to study international affairs and public policy to pursue a career in public service.