Students Headed to Washington, D. C. and to Receive $10,000 Scholarship
Juneau, Alaska (KINY) – The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) announced Tuesday that high school students Elizabeth Shao Djajalie of Juneau and Felix Dell Myers of Sitka will join Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senator Daniel Sullivan in representing Alaska during the 62nd annual USSYP Washington Week in March 2024.
The USSYP was created in 1962 “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 provides the most outstanding high school students – two from each state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity – with an intensive week-long study of the federal government and the people who lead. In addition to the program week, The Hearst Foundations provides each student with a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship with encouragement to continue coursework in government, history, and public affairs.
Djajalie, a senior at Thunder Mountain High School, serves as the Associated Student Body representative on the Juneau School District Board of Education.
A lifelong Alaskan, she leads initiatives in education, gender equality, fisheries conservation, and sustainability. In addition to over five years of experience in student government, she holds the highest student leadership position in the Enigma Math and Critical Thinking club, Future Women of STEM club, Juneau String Ensembles, and the Alaska Science and Engineering Fair nonprofit organization.
Her nonprofit work has garnered over $15,000 for K-12 education and has reached over a hundred Alaskan schools.
She launched a podcast that uplifts the stories of Alaskan women in STEM fields whose voices have now been heard on the radio as well as in seven countries spanning four continents.
Her sustainability research on Pacific salmon has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Education, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2023, her oral presentation placed first in the nation at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium.
To honor local service members, she sings the “Star Spangled Banner” for the annual Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and 9/11 commemorations. In college, she hopes to double major in science, technology, and society and international relations.
Myers, a senior at Sitka High School, serves as president of the Sitka chapter of the National Honor Society.
He is the student advisor to the Alaska State Board of Education where he has been the voice for Alaskan students.
He serves on the Executive Board of the Alaska Association of Student Governments where he reports on education in the state of Alaska to a large constituency.
He has spent two years as the Student Body vice president and student advisor to the Sitka School Board where he advocated for funding priorities, local education policy, and student achievement and wellbeing.
In this role, he also attended legislative fly-ins where he promoted an increase to the base student allocation. Finally, Felix captained and led both the Sitka High School Drama, Debate, and Forensics team, and the Mock Trial team to multiple state titles.
Myers would like to focus on political science and public policy in an undergraduate program and follow that with degrees in law or foreign policy.
Chosen as alternates to the 2024 program were Mr. Spencer Kuan Co of Homer and Ms. Danika Ellen Dawley of North Pole.
Dr. Deena Bishop, Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, designated the delegates and alternates after a rigorous application and nomination process.
“I am proud to send Elizabeth and Felix to Washington, D.C. as our Alaska delegates. They have already shown profound knowledge of the American political process and a lifelong commitment to public service, and I have no doubt this program will intensify their dedication to their civic duties,” said Commissioner Bishop.
