DoDEA Students Participate in the United States Senate Youth Program

ARLINGTON, VA — Two Department of Defense Education Activity students are participating the in the 47th Annual United States Senate Youth Program taking place in Washington, DC this week. Michael Boone from Kaiserslautern High School and Luke Moragne from David Glasgow Farragut High School in Rota, Spain are representing DoDEA at this national event. The DODEA students were selected from among hundreds of applicants to attend the 47th annual Washington Week program and to each receive a $5000 college scholarship.

"I met the President of the United States. That was quite an honor," said Boone. "This week we've been able to experience the Supreme Court, the legislative branch and we were able to go to the White House and see the executive branch. It was a great opportunity."

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 DoDEA -- to Washington, D.C. for an intensive week-long study of the federal government and the people who lead it.

While in Washington the student delegates attend meetings and briefings with Senate leadership, other Senators and Congressional staff; the President, a Justice of the Supreme Court, leaders of cabinet agencies, an Ambassador to the United States and top members of the national media. The students also tour many of the national monuments and several museums and stay at the historic Mayflower hotel in downtown Washington, D.C.

"My favorite experience was shaking the President's hand. It's a once in a lifetime experience," said Moragne.

The overall mission of the program is to help instill within student delegates a more profound knowledge of the American political process and a lifelong commitment to public service. In addition to the program week, the foundation grants each of the 104 student delegates a $5,000 college scholarship with encouragement to continue coursework in government, history and public affairs. Transportation and all expenses for Washington Week are provided by the foundation, as stipulated in S.Res.324; no government funds are utilized.

Boone is the Student Government President at Kaiserslautern High School and represents DoDEA in Germany. He is a member of the National Honor Society and is involved in activities for the betterment of the school community and has received the Community Volunteer Distinctive Award. He plays on the varsity tennis and basketball teams. He collects cars, plays piano and aspires to design automobiles. His future goals include pursuing an undergraduate degree in environmental engineering.

Moragne is Student Council President at David Glasgow Farragut High School and represents DoDEA in Rota, Spain. He is the NJROTC Operations Officer and was captain of the football team. He also serves as a role model by participating in the peer leadership program and attended Missouri Boys State. His future college plans include attending the U.S. Naval Academy and eventually becoming a commissioned officer in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Both Moragne and Boone encouraged other DoDEA students to apply for next year's program.

"I would say apply early and get involved in as many things as you can in your high school and community," Moragne added. "It's been absolutely incredible."

For more information about the program visit http://www.ussenateyouth.org

DoDEA plans, directs, coordinates, and manages the education programs for Department of Defense dependents who would otherwise not have access to a high-quality public education. DoDEA consists of the Department of Defense Dependents Schools located overseas, and the Department of Defense Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools located in the United States and its territories and possessions. DoDEA provides education to eligible DoD military and civilian dependents from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. DoDEA also provides support and resources to Local Education Activities throughout the U.S. that serve children of military families.

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