Two R.I. students selected as delegates for U.S. Senate Youth Program

PROVIDENCE – Two Rhode Island high school students have been selected as delegates for the 53rd annual U.S. Senate Youth Program.
The Ocean State’s 2015 student delegates are Chase Boni, a Cumberland High School student, and Ben Chiacchia, a Lincoln High School student, are the Ocean State’s 2015 delegates.
Alternates for the 2015 program are Caroline Coaty of Rogers High School and Mathew Lamontagne of Barrington High School.

Boni serves as captain of the Debate Team, president and founder of the Linguistics Club and state president of the Future Business Leaders of America. He is currently taking six advanced placement courses and is a member of the cross country team and the Civil Air Patrol.
Chiacchia is the vice president for the class of 2016, a position he has held since his freshman year. He also is a lacrosse player, captain of the swim team and a tutor in creative and persuasive writing. In addition, Chiacchia is a regular contributor to the school newspaper and he participates in the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Program. Chiacchia is currently enrolled in four advanced placement classes this year.
This year’s delegates were selected by Deborah A. Gist, commissioner of education.
Students that are considered for the USSYP program exhibit outstanding leadership skills and a strong commitment to community service, alongside academically ranking in the top percentile of high school juniors and seniors in the state.

The USSYP is an academically competitive program that brings two students from every state to Washington D.C. for an intensive, week-long tour and study of federal government operations, according to a news release from U.S. Senators Jack F. Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse. This year’s program will be held March 7 to 14.

Student delegates will attend several briefings and meet with senators, house representatives, senior members of national media, a Supreme Court justice and the president, among other officials. Students also will tour national monuments and museums. During their stay, students will be lodged at the historic Mayflower Hotel.
In addition to the program, participating students also receive a $5,000 scholarship; they are encouraged to pursue studies in government, history or public affairs.

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The program, fully funded by the Hearst Foundations, was established in 1962.

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