Bianca Eagan, a student at Juneau-Douglas High School, has been named one of Alaska’s two delegates to the Senate Youth Program by Alaska Education Commissioner Dr. Michael Johnson. The second delegate is Brian Conwell, a student at Unalaska Jr/Sr High School in the Unalaska City School District.
States also name alternate delegates, who serve if their primary delegates cannot attend Washington Week. Alaska’s first alternate is Jode Sparks, a student at Soldotna High School in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. The second alternate is Sadie Sands, a student at Dillingham Middle/High School in the Dillingham City School District.
“Brian and Bianca represent Alaska’s past, present, and future,” said Johnson. “They exemplify the traditional values that have made Alaska strong, the work ethic and service to their community that keeps Alaska productive, and the potential that will keep Alaska moving forward. I admire both of these students.”
Eagan serves as her school’s student body president, as a National Honor Society peer mentor, and is editor-in-chief of the yearbook. She has worked on a number of initiatives to promote gender equality in her school. She does not have firm plans for her future, but is sure it will include leadership in her community.
Conwell serves as his school’s student council president, senior class president, National Honor Society president, teen council treasurer, and is a member of the Alaska Youth for Environment Action team. He organizes beach trash cleanup in his community and is active in the Alaska Association of Student Governments. He plans to attend law school in the future.
Sparks serves as his school’s student body president, representative to the Kenai Borough Budget Committee, school site council, career and technical education curriculum committee, and is a member of the Alaska Youth for Environment Action committee. He has served as a U.S. Senate page and a delegate to the Alaska Association of Student Governments. Sparks plans to pursue a master’s degree in public policy and a Juris Doctor degree.
Sands serves as her school’s junior class president in addition to serving on the school executive council, and is a member of the National Honor Society. She raises money for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, and is active in environmental advocacy in Southwest Alaska. She plans to pursue a degree in bioengineering.
Delegates will spend a week in March in Washington, D.C., where they will hear policy addresses by senators, cabinet members, officials of the departments of State and Defense, and representatives of the U.S. Supreme Court. Attendees will receive a $10,000 college scholarship.
Delegates are chosen based on grades, test scores, letters of recommendation, an essay on their leadership in student government and the community, and a persuasive essay on an issue of national importance. The program was created by the U.S. Senate and funded by the Hearst Foundations. It is intended to foster careers in public service.
