ARIANNA GRAHAM GURLAND

MIDDLEBURY — Arianna Graham Gurland, daughter of Amy Graham and Suzanne Gurland of Middlebury, has been selected as one of two alternates in the state of Vermont for the United States Senate Youth Program.

Students selected for the program join Sen. Patrick Leahy and Sen. Bernie Sanders in representing Vermont during the 60th annual USSYP Washington Week, to be held March 6-9, 2022.

A delegation of 104 national students will attend the program, two from each state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity. Each selectee will also  receive a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate study.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the 2022 program will be held online, through a comprehensive and highly interactive virtual education and leadership forum.

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. 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 highly competitive merit-based program provides the most outstanding high school students with 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.

The Hearst Foundations provide each student with a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship with encouragement to continue coursework in government, history and public affairs. All expenses for Washington Week are also provided by The Hearst Foundations.

The Vermont delegates and alternates were designated by Dan French, Secretary of Education.

During the program week, the student delegates will attend online meetings and briefings with senators, the president, a justice of the Supreme Court, leaders of cabinet agencies, among others.

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 6,000 strong, alumni of the program continue to excel and develop impressive qualities that are often directed toward public service.

Should either of the official selectees, Eva Frazier of Hinesburg and Iris Hsiang of Essex, be unable to attend Graham Gurland will have the opportunity to take their place.