Senators Joe Donnelly and Todd Young today announced the names of the two students who have been selected as delegates to the 55th annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) that will be held March 4 — 11, 2017 in Washington, D.C. Mr. Jake J. Ingoglia of Munster and Mr. Rushi Patel of Plainfield were chosen from across the state to be part of the group of 104 student delegates who will attend the program’s 55th annual Washington Week.
The USSYP was created by Senate Resolution 324 in 1962 and has been sponsored by the Senate and fully funded by The Hearst Foundations since inception. Originally proposed by Senators Kuchel, Mansfield, Dirksen and Humphrey, the impetus for the program as stated in Senate testimony is "to increase young Americans’ understanding of the interrelationships of the three branches of government, learn the caliber and responsibilities of federally elected and appointed officials, and emphasize the vital importance of democratic decision making not only for America but for people around the world."
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 — to Washington, D.C. 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 student with a $10,000 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.
Jake Ingoglia attends Munster High School and serves as the Student Body president. Jake has also been an active member of his school's Civics Club and National Honor Society. He was nominated for the Richard G. Lugar symposium, and attended Hoosier Boys State. He won 4th place at the DECA state competition in Marketing Management and qualified for Internationals. He was a member of his school's 3rd place We the People team at a state competition, and competed in the American Legion's National Oratorical competition. Jake has also worked as a staff member during Indiana's primary elections, served as a tutor, and volunteers to help elementary school students adjust to middle school.
Rushi Patel attends Avon High School and serves as the Student Government president. Rushi has previously held positions as vice president and class officer in student government. He directed his school's nationally recognized lip dub video that raised over $15,000 for a local hospital and received an award from the Indiana Department of Education. He is the vice president of the DECA club, a student group focused on business and entrepreneurship, in which he and his team won first place in the international conference with their prototype for a pedal-powered phone charger. He is also the founder and choreographer of the Bolly- American dance group Rhythm India and has worked as a biochemical research intern.
Chosen as alternates to the 2017 program were Stephen Vukovits, a resident of Fishers, who attends Cathedral High School and Arjun Ramani, a resident of West Lafayette, who attends West Lafayette High School.
Delegates and alternates are selected by the state departments of education nationwide and the District of Columbia and Department of Defense Education Activity, after nomination by teachers and principals. The Chief State School Officer for each jurisdiction confirms the final selection. This year’s Indiana delegates and alternates were designated by Ms. Glenda Ritz, Superintendent of Public Instruction.
While in Washington the student delegates 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. The students will also tour many of the national monuments and several museums and they will stay at the historic Mayflower Hotel in downtown Washington, D.C.
In addition to outstanding leadership abilities and a strong commitment to volunteer work, the student delegates rank academically in the top one percent of their states among high school juniors and seniors. Now more than 5,500 strong, alumni of the program continue to excel and develop impressive qualities that are often directed toward public service. Among the many distinguished alumni are Senator Susan Collins, the first delegate to be elected to the Senate; Senator Cory Gardner, the first delegate to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and the second to be elected to the Senate; former Chief Judge Robert Henry, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit; former Ambassador to West Germany Richard Burt, and former presidential advisors Thomas "Mack" McLarty and Karl Rove. Additional notables include Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie, former Lt. Governor of Idaho David Leroy, former President of the Progressive Policy Institute Robert Shapiro, military officers, members of state legislatures, Foreign Service officers, top congressional staff, healthcare providers and university educators.
Members of the U. S. Senate Youth Program 2017 annual Senate Advisory Committee are: Senator Roger F. Wicker of Mississippi, Republican Co-Chair; Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Democratic Co-Chair; Bipartisan Senate Advisory Members: Senators Bill Cassidy MD (R-LA), Joni K. Ernst (R-IA), James M. Inhofe (R-OK), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Christopher S. Murphy (D-CT) and Jon Tester (D-MT). Each year, the Honorary Co-Chairs of the program are the vice president of the United States and the Senate majority and minority leaders.