Liu 1 of only 2 in state chosen for U.S. Senate Youth Program
Farragut High School junior Rena Liu was one of only two students chosen statewide, and only one of 104 chosen nationwide, to participate in this year’s U. S. Senate Youth Program.
Liu and Lucia Enriquez of Nolensville High School will be working with U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty in representing Tennessee during the 59th Annual USSYP Washington Week, which this year will be held virtually Thursday through Sunday, March 14-17.
Each student chosen also receives a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate study.
“I’m very thankful for this opportunity and for our amazing teachers and counselors that have helped me get here,” said Liu, who serves as co-president of FHS’s Junior State of America chapter and also sits on the regional Junior State of America Cabinet.
Liu said she “almost didn’t get a chance to apply to this program because of the chaos of this hybrid school year. I’m very thankful to Ms. Katie King, Farragut’s College and Career counselor, for nominating me and reaching out to me on her own time during Thanksgiving break to help me complete my application.
“I’m also highly appreciative of my AP US government teacher, Ms. Samantha Newman, for writing me a letter of recommendation that helped me make it to the interview stage,” the FHS junior added.
“It is an honor to be representing Tennessee for this program, and I’m grateful for this opportunity to learn and hear from our nation’s leaders.”
Liu, who also is a member of the school’s Student Government Association, is historian for the school’s Model UN program; is president of FHS’s Humanities Academy; won third place for her National History Day paper; qualified nationally for Health Occupations Students of America’s HOSA Biomedical Debate; and has won regional awards with Mock Trial and Model UN.
Last summer, she interned for a congressional campaign and attended the Governor’s Schools for International Studies.
Liu said she is interested in politics “because I believe in a government’s direct responsibility to take care of people. As our nation faces the 21st Century of widening wealth gaps, growing geopolitical tensions and dwindling natural resources, I am concerned about common people’s vulnerability to being left behind and exploited. I want to be a public servant to address these issues and take care of people, and thus am looking forward to USSYP as an avenue to prepare for a life of public service.”
FHS student Hannah Brennen was chosen as an alternate for this year’s program.
The USSYP, created in 1962, has been sponsored by the U.S. Senate and is fully funded by The Hearst Foundation.
Delegates and alternates from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia are selected by the state departments of education after being nominated by teachers and principals.
