The 63rd United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) recently concluded with a visit to the Pentagon, where Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth welcomed student delegates and their military officer mentors. Established in 1962, the USSYP brings together high-achieving high school students from every state, Washington, and the Department of Defense Education Activity, along with military mentors, for a week of learning about the federal government and its leaders. Hegseth commended the students and military members for their commitment to service and emphasized the importance of building a strong foundation of beliefs and values as a basis for future leadership roles.
During the program, students had the opportunity to interact with leaders like Hegseth and gain a more personal understanding of their dedication to serving the country. Alliyah Regala, a senior student council president from Japan, expressed how meeting Hegseth in person humanized him and highlighted their shared commitment to serving the American people. Another student, Emily Wheeler from Germany, appreciated Hegseth’s demonstration of love for country and dedication to public service. The military officer mentors, who play a key role in helping students understand the Department of Defense’s mission, also praised Hegseth for connecting with the students and emphasizing the importance of meritocracy in their careers.
The military mentors in the USSYP program undergo a competitive selection process and spend Washington Week guiding student delegates through various aspects of public service and government operations. Many mentors echoed Hegseth’s emphasis on merit and how it applies to both the program and their own careers. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Vikram Kanth, one of the mentors, highlighted the importance of merit in his role as a maritime cyber warfare officer and praised Hegseth for effectively conveying a message of service and inspiration to the student delegates. The program aims to expose students to different parts of the government and inspire them to pursue leadership roles in various capacities.
In addition to their visit to the Pentagon, student delegates in the USSYP program have the opportunity to meet with Senate leaders, the president, Supreme Court justices, foreign ambassadors, and senior officials from various government agencies. The program has been supported by the Hearst Foundations since its inception, providing high school students with a unique and immersive experience in Washington, D.C. By engaging with government leaders, military mentors, and other officials, students gain a deeper understanding of public service and are encouraged to consider future roles in leadership at the state, national, and international levels. Hegseth’s message of building a strong foundation of values and beliefs resonated with the student delegates, inspiring them to pursue careers in service and leadership.
