WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) met with Jerry Lacy of Charleston and Ely Osborne of Clay this week during their visit to Washington as part of the U.S. Senate Youth Program’s (USSYP) 56th annual Washington Week. Lacy and Osborne were recently selected as West Virginia’s USSYP student delegates for 2018.
“DJ and Ely are impressive young men and excellent representatives of West Virginia. They’re intelligent and hardworking, and when they see an opportunity to lend a hand or help improve their communities, they take it,” Senator Capito said. “They both already have an impressive list of accomplishments, and I know they will only to add to that list in the future.”
“I was honored to meet with this year’s student delegates from West Virginia, Jerry and Ely,” Senator Manchin said. “They have both demonstrated strong leadership and involvement in their communities as well as commitment to their studies. There is no doubt that delegates like Jerry and Ely will help shape our nation’s future. Now, more than ever, our country needs young leaders like them. I hope these students receive the guidance and resources necessary to continue embodying this great country’s values and potentially pursue a career in public service. They represented West Virginia with integrity. Their passion for American democracy is inspiring and I hope their week in Washington inspired them.”
During the 56th annual Washington Week, the delegates will attend meetings and briefings with the President Trump, senators, members of the U.S. House of Representatives, congressional staff, a Supreme Court justice, leaders of cabinet agencies, an ambassador to the United States, and senior members of the national media, as well as tour many of the national monuments and museums.
Each student will also receive a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship with encouragement to continue coursework in government, history, and public affairs. The intensive week-long educational experience and scholarship are fully funded by the Hearst Foundations. Delegates and alternates are selected by state departments of education nationwide and the District of Columbia and Department of Defense Education Activity, after nomination by teachers and principals. The chief state school officer for each jurisdiction confirms the final selection.
Background
Jerry Lacy attends George Washington High School and serves as the student body president. He formed the West Virginia Young Republicans club, arranging for 40 students from several high schools to spend a day at the West Virginia Capitol meeting with the secretary of state and attorney general. He also interned for Bill Cole during his campaign for governor. In addition, Jerry started an American Red Cross club at school to reinstate blood drives on campus. He is also the vice president of the Beta Club and plays baseball for both his school and a travel team.
Ely Osborne attends Clay County High School and serves as the senior class president. His outstanding academic record is complemented by his impressive leadership qualities and extracurricular successes. He is the president of the West Virginia delegation for the Technology Student Association, the state winner of the "Most Outstanding Performer" award for his participation in the We the People competition, captain of the baseball team, president of his church youth group, and a youth sports instructor and referee. Ely is also an advocate for the state's Promise Scholarship and an intern for the Family Policy Council of West Virginia.
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