In recognition of her excellent performance as a student and young person, a Skagway high school senior was invited to take part in the Senate Youth Program, an intensive week-long educational experience and scholarship sponsored by the United States Senate for outstanding high school students who are interested in pursuing careers in public service. Two students from every state will travel to the capital next March, and Skagway high school student Callia Fielding will be part of the trip. She describes a rigorous selection process
Callia “It was really hard, I applied last year as well, but was rejected after the second stage, first they choose the top ten applicants through essays and letters of recommendations, and then those ten applicants take a civil service exam test, and then the top five to do the best on the civil service exam test go on to do an interview and from there they choose two delegates.”
According to the program’s website, the senate youth program was initiated in 1962 to “increase young Americans’ understanding of the interrelationships of the three branches of government, the caliber and responsibilities of federally elected and appointed officials, and the vital importance of democratic decision making not only for America but for people around the world.”
Participants are selected in part based on their involvement in public service. Callia serves on the Skagway School Board as student council president, and last year was part of a successful effort to update the dress code. This year she is working on scheduling issues. She also has an interest in global matters
Callia “In my freshman and sophomore years of high school I was very involved with nuclear disarmament activism. For most of my life I am planning on being a strong activist as well as someone who is very involved in current events, and participates in government as much as possible.”
The schedule for their trip has not been released yet, but previous participants have met presidents and vice presidents, senate leaders and supreme court justices. They will be chaperoned during the week by about 20 military mentors who will guide them around the capital and inform them on proper protocol when meeting various officials.
Callia will become part of an illustrious line of high achievers, alumni of the program include Senator Susan Collins, who attended in 1972, former governor Chris Christie, from the class of ’80, current secretary of transportation Pete Buttigieg, was there in 2000, and deputy chief of staff during the Bush white House, Karl Rove attended in 1969.
Thinking of the future, Callia intends to direct her energy towards solving some practical problems of human life.
Callia “I am planning on going into architecture, specifically I want to work as a green architect, so looking at sustainable architecture and how I can use architecture to improve the environment and the climate problem, and I also would like to specifically work in urban architecture.”
She has started the college application process, she is interested in the University of California system, or CalPoly, she doesn’t know where yet. More immediately, she has to attend English class after our interview. She says it’s her best subject.
