Milbank, Aberdeen seniors selected for U.S. Senate Youth Program

Dustin Hermansen, an Aberdeen Central High School senior; and Maxwell Lightfield, a Milbank High School senior; have been chosen as South Dakota’s delegates to this year’s 61st annual United States Senate Youth Program in Washington, D.C., March 4-11.

Each delegate receives a $10,000 undergraduate scholarship from the Hearst Foundation and is encouraged to pursue courses in government, history and public affairs.

The Senate youth Program is a competitive merit-based program. Two students from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity are selected to participate.

The program is an intensive study of the federal government and the people who lead it. The overall program mission is to help instill more profound knowledge of the American political process and a lifelong commitment to public service.

Hermansen serves as his school’s student council secretary and National Honor Society chapter president. He is involved in Future Business Leaders of America, debate, track, and is captain of the football team. He is a Sunday school teacher and member of the Boy Scouts, earning the rank of Eagle Scout by building a piece of playground equipment for a local elementary school. He has volunteered more than 300 hours for community activities and served as a page for both the South Dakota Legislature and United States Senate. Hermansen has also attended American Legion Boys State and Boys Nation.

Lightfield serves as his school’s student council president and senior class president. He is the Student Council Northeast Region vice president, a member of the National Honor Society, and a National Merit Commended Scholar. He participates in debate, theater, band, choir, track, basketball, and was elected homecoming king. He was a South Dakota legislative page and attended Boys State. He has been a member of South Dakota Teenage Republicans and the Young Elected Legislative Leaders. Lightfield has volunteered with Special Olympics, community fundraiser events, the Bulldog Backpack Program, and his church. He has been active in Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership, has worked as a campaign aide in District 1, and plans to pursue a career in economics and public policy.

This article originally appeared on Aberdeen News: Milbank, Aberdeen seniors selected for U.S. Senate Youth Program