U.S. Senate Youth Program

Congratulations to Minnesota’s 2021 U.S. Senate Youth Program Delegates!

The Minnesota Department of Education is pleased to announce the two outstanding students chosen to represent Minnesota at the 2021 U.S. Senate Youth Program.

Congratulations to Fardouza Farah, Owatonna High School and Alainn Hanson, Red Wing High School.

Fardouza serves as the Junior Class representative at the Owatonna High School and is a executive board member on the Central Asian English Project. Fardouza is the Minnesota Youth Against Sexual Violence chapter president, working with a team of passionate fellow students across the state to raise awareness about sexual violence and provide resources to sexual assault survivors; she also works on initiatives that help better Minnesota for survivors by personally starting local programs like the Owatonna Youth Against Sexual Violence group, and helping set up similar groups across the state. During quarantine Fardouza co-founded a nonprofit organization, FL Tutoring Services, which provides low-income students and underrepresented students across Minnesota with free virtual tutoring.

Alainn Hanson, a senior at Red Wing High School, serves as a student representative to the local School Board and Human Rights Commission. She is an active member of many student government organizations and local government organizations in her community. She has participated in both the YMCA’s Youth in Government program and Model UN. Alainn founded and chairs the Red Wing Youth Commission, has a passion for government and democracy, and intends to major in political science while at college.

Minnesota’s representatives to the 59th annual leadership education program, due to the pandemic, the 2021 program will be the first-ever virtual  week in Washington D.C., in March 2021, meeting with the highest level officials from each branch of government. In addition, each student receives a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship.

Read more about these outstanding students as well as the two chosen as alternates:

Kesarin Mehta, Mayo High School in Rochester and Miriam Manna, Robbinsdale Armstrong High School. 

Program Background

The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP), established in 1962 by U.S. Senate Resolution, is a unique educational experience for outstanding high school students. Each year, two student leaders from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity spend a week in Washington, D.C., experiencing their national government in action.

During Washington Week, students attend briefings and meetings with several senators, the president of the United States, a justice of the Supreme Court, secretaries of the Cabinet, an ambassador to the United States, other federal agency leaders, and senior members of the national media. Each speaking event includes a substantial question-and-answer session, allowing the students direct and personal interaction with the high-level leadership. This in-depth exposure is what fuels and sustains the students’ commitment to making a difference in their country, communities and schools.

In addition, each delegate will be awarded a $10,000 college scholarship. The Hearst Foundation provides all transportation, hotel and meal expenses.

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) administers this program in Minnesota. Principals nominate students; one student per school will be considered. Interested? Students may check with their high school counselor to learn more about the program.

The 2020-21 program is closed. Watch for more information in August 2021 about the 2022 program year.

For further information, contact:
U.S. Senate Youth Program Coordinator for Minnesota
Email: mde.USSYP@state.mn.us
Phone: 651-582-8484