Manual High School senior chosen for US Senate Youth Program
Manual High School senior Ashley Billiter is one of only two students from Kentucky selected for the prestigious United States Senate Youth Program, an initiative designed to foster the next generation of American leaders.
The program, founded in 1962 by William Randolph Hearst, the founder of 비바카지노 Viva's parent company, Hearst Television, chooses two students from each state for a $10,000 scholarship.
The students embark on a weeklong trip to Washington, D.C., where they meet lawmakers, a Supreme Court justice, and even the president.
For Billiter, the opportunity is a dream come true.
"I don't think it will fully hit me until I'm there, that I'm going to experience it," she said.
Billiter learned she had been selected in December.
"I was very shocked at first. I was actually at a club meeting, and we were cleaning up when I looked down at my phone and said, 'What?'" Billiter said.
As a delegate to the program, the senior will have the opportunity to meet Kentucky Sens. Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell, who is also a graduate of Manual.
"I was thinking about talking about how this is the first year Manual has won the Male-Manual football game in 11 years," Billiter said. "That will help break the ice, and then I맥스카지노ll be able to talk about policy and the issues I care about."
In addition to her academic accomplishments, which include a perfect score on the ACT and recognition as a Governor's Scholar, Billiter is an active volunteer in her community.
Manual librarian Christy Causey praises her humility.
"I will say Ashley is extremely humble, so I don't often know everything she's accomplished or hear about everything she's done," Causey said.
Despite her impressive achievements, Billiter emphasizes the importance of balance. "I make time for myself," she said. "I love to garden, read historical fiction, and swim. It맥스카지노s all about finding balance, and that맥스카지노s my advice to younger students."
Looking ahead, Billiter is deciding between several universities, including Purdue University, the University of Alabama, and the University of Kentucky.
The other Kentucky student selected for the program is a senior from Lexington. The Senate Youth Program will take place in early March.