Manchin Co-Chairs 53rd Annual U.S. Senate Youth Program
As this year’s co-chair, Senator Manchin congratulates Ylhang Liu of Huntington and Gene Webster Bailey, III of Charleston, who are representing West Virginia at the program
As co-chair of the 53rd Annual United States Senate Youth Program, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin today congratulates two West Virginia students who were selected as delegates to attend this year’s program in Washington, D.C. This week, Ylhang Liu of Huntington and Gene Webster Bailey, III of Charleston will join 104 student delegates from across the country to meet with members of Congress, President Obama, a Justice of the Supreme Court, as well as other public officials and members of the media.
On Monday evening, Senator Manchin will deliver remarks at the program’s opening dinner. He will meet with the West Virginia delegates at the dinner and again this Wednesday at a reception honoring the students on Capitol Hill.
“First and foremost, I am so proud to congratulate West Virginia’s outstanding representatives, Ylhang Liu and Gene Bailey on being selected as our state’s delegates in the U.S. Senate Youth Program this year,” Senator Manchin said. “Through their distinguished work in the classroom and passion for their communities, both Ylhang and Gene are talented young leaders who have proven their commitment to understanding our great democracy. I’m proud to congratulate them for all they have accomplished, and I wish them the best in their future endeavors.
“Year after year, the Senate Youth Program provides the incredible opportunity for our best and brightest students to step into the shoes of our nation’s top leaders and gain a valuable perspective on the role of federal government. My hope for these students is that they receive the guidance and resources that allow them to walk their own paths towards the continuation of our great country’s values. I am very proud to be this year’s co-chair of the program, and I am especially eager to meet with the delegates, including Ylhang and Gene, at tonight’s opening dinner.”
To be selected for the U.S. Senate Youth Program, students must rank academically in the top percentile of all high school juniors and seniors in their state, and possess outstanding leadership abilities and a commitment to volunteer work.
Ylhang Liu is a senior at Cabell Midland High School in Ona. She serves as a Girls Nation Senator, Girls State Delegate and a HOBY (Hugh O’Brian Youth) Leadership Representative. Additionally, she is involved in Math Field Day, National Honor Society, Honorary Chemistry and Mu Alpha Theta Debate. Her interests include debate, taekwondo and art. She is also a volunteer church translator. She plans to attend college as an international relations major and attend law school. She aspires to one day work in the United Nations.
Gene Bailey is a senior at George Washington High School in Charleston. He serves as the Senior Student Council Representative, President of the Youth Leadership Association Club, President of the Young Democrats Club, Captain of the Academic History Quiz Bowl Team and Supreme Court Justice at the Mountaineer Boys State. He is also a volunteer at River Ridge Church and a member of the lacrosse team. He plans to attend college as a history major, move on to law school and become a public defense attorney. He aspires to one day become a United States Senator.
The United States Senate Youth Program is a competitive, merit-based program that selects two students from each state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity, to participate in a week-long educational experience about the federal government and national leaders. Each student will receive a $5,000 undergraduate college scholarship from the Hearst Foundations. During their week in Washington, students will meet with members of Congress, President Obama, a Justice of the Supreme Court, as well as other public officials and members of the media.
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