WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) congratulates Gene Bailey of George Washington High School in Charleston and Yihang Liu of Cabell Midland High School in Huntington for being selected as West Virginia’s delegates to the 53rd annual United States Senate Youth Program.
“I am proud to congratulate these two outstanding West Virginia students for being selected as delegates to the United States Senate Youth Program. Gene Bailey and Yihang Liu have shown an exceptional commitment to their studies and their communities, earning their place among this prestigious group of young leaders. I welcome Gene and Yihang to Washington and wish them a fun and informative week of witnessing democracy in action,” said Senator Capito.
The intensive week-long educational experience and scholarship is sponsored by the United States Senate for outstanding high school students who are pursuing careers in public service.
Bailey and Liu will join more than 100 students from across the country attending the program’s 53rd annual Washington Week. They will meet with Senator Capito and the state’s senior Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.). They will also attend meetings and briefings with the president, congressional members and staff, a Justice of the Supreme Court, leaders of cabinet agencies, an ambassador to the United States and senior members of the media. The students will also tour many of the national monuments and museums.
Gene Bailey is a senior at George Washington High School in Charleston. He serves as the Student Council Senior Class Representative, the Key Club Treasurer, Regional Leader of Inspire West Virginia, Founder and President of the George Washington High School Youth Leadership Association, a Captain for the George Washington High School Academic History Quiz Bowl Team, member of the George Washington High School Beta Honor Society and President of the Young Democrats Club. He was elected as Supreme Court Justice at the Mountaineer Boys State. Bailey also plays on the George Washington High School lacrosse team and the River Ridge Church high school basketball team. During the summers, Bailey works at the West Virginia Division of Culture and History Archives Department and as an assistant coach for the Greg White Basketball Camp. He plans to attend law school and then be elected governor and/or senator of West Virginia.
Yihang Liu is a senior at Cabell Midland High School in Huntington. She serves as the HOBY (Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership) representative for her district. She also held leadership roles at Girls State and Girls Nation. She is active in Debate Club and Chemistry Honorary at her school. Liu plans to attend law school and would like to pursue a career in international business law. Her dream job is to work at the United Nations.
Each year, the extremely competitive, merit-based United States Senate Youth Program brings outstanding high schools students to Washington for an intensive week-long study of the federal government and the people who lead it. The purpose of the program is to help instill within each class of student delegates a more profound knowledge of the American political process and a lifelong commitment to public service. This year’s delegates were designated by Dr. Michael J. Martirano, West Virginia’s Superintendent of Schools.
In addition to the program week, The Hearst Foundations provide each student with a $5,000 undergraduate college scholarship with encouragement to continue coursework in government, history and public affairs.
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