WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) met with Arka Gupta of Charleston and Adrien Inman of Martinsburg this week during their visit to Washington as part of the United States Senate Youth Program’s (USSYP) 54th annual Washington Week. Gupta and Inman were recently selected as West Virginia’s USSYP student delegates for 2016.
“Arka and Adrien are excellent representatives of West Virginia’s bright and hard-working students. It was a privilege welcoming them to Washington and hearing about their experience witnessing democracy in action this week. These two young men are the future leaders of our state, and I hope they return to West Virginia even more inspired to pursue public service,” said Senator Capito, a Senate Advisory Member for the 54th annual USSYP.
“It was a privilege to meet with this year’s student delegates from West Virginia, Arka and Adrien,” Senator Manchin said. “Arka and Adrien are both incredible young people who have exhibited tremendous leadership through their commitment to their studies and involvement in their communities. These young leaders are the future of our state and their passion for our democracy is inspiring. I’m confident they will represent our great state well this week in Washington.”
During the 54th annual Washington Week, student delegates 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, and tour many of the national monuments and museums.
The Hearst Foundations also provides each student with a $5,000 undergraduate college scholarship with encouragement to continue coursework in government, history and public affairs. The intensive week-long educational experience and scholarship is sponsored by the United States Senate and fully funded by the Hearst Foundations.
Arka Gupta attends George Washington High School in Charleston and serves as the student body president. He is a captain of the JROTC program, and junior Civitan governor for West Virginia and Ohio. His experience at the West Virginia Public Defender’s Office has sparked an interest in law, and his internship at the T.H. Chan Harvard School of Public Health also furthered his dedication to community service. These experiences are pointing him toward a career representing underserved populations in the United States and across the globe.
Adrien Inman attends Spring Mills High School in Martinsburg and has served as a student council representative for two years. As a member of Rotary Interact, and in leadership positions that include captain of the varsity soccer team, Adrian has worked to bring people together. Active in a wide variety of music, sports, theater, politics and community service activities, he has also been an exchange student in China. He plans to be a Naval Officer and work for the State Department.
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