WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) announced today that two Michigan students have been selected as delegates to the 47th Annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) that will be held March 7 – 14, 2009, in Washington, D.C. Brandon Davenport of Grosse Pointe Woods and Erica Wozniak of Marquette were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be part of the group of 104 student delegates who will attend the program’s 47th Washington Week.

“The United States Senate Youth Program takes high school students beyond the classroom and the textbook and allows them to gain real insights into the detailed working of their government,” said Stabenow. “I am so proud to have Brandon and Erica representing our state and hope this experience will help encourage other outstanding students like them to pursue careers in public service.”

“I am proud that Michigan will be well-represented during the U.S. Senate Youth Program’s Washington Week,” Levin said. "The USSYP offers high school students an excellent opportunity to see their government in action. I am hopeful that meeting some of the federal government’s most dedicated public servants will help move our best and brightest closer to their own public service aspirations."

Brandon Davenport is President of the Class of 2009 at Grosse Pointe North High School. Brandon Davenport is a leader, athlete, scholar and service voluteer. As a senior, he serves as president of his class, a position which he also held duing his junior year. He is the President of the IMPACT Club, a community service organization, and volunteers in the Student Athlete Session Council on community service projects. He also plays varsity hockey, lacrosse, and is on the cross country team. He will attend University of Detroit Mercy and will play varsity lacrosse, a sport which he has played at Grosse Pointe North for four years and serves as captain. Brandon plans on exploring majors in pre-law, pre-health and education and is interested in pursuing a career in physical therapy, education or law.

Erica Wozniak is Co-President of the Science Olympiad at Marquette Senior High School. A member of Science Olympiad since her freshman year, Erica has won regional and state science competitions. Physics and math are her passion; when she graduates, she will have 42 college credits as a dual enrollment student. She is interested in astro-physics and has participated in physics research, building neutron detectors and researching quasars. She is section leader and plays the flute in the Marquette High School wind symphony and volunteers with the Key Club. Erica plans to attend college and study mathematics, physics and Spanish. Her career goal is to become a university professor.

In Washington, the student delegates will attend meetings and briefings with senators, congressional staff, the President, a justice of the Supreme Court, leaders of cabinet agencies, an ambassador to the United States and top members of the national media. The students will also tour many of the national monuments and several museums and they will stay at the historic Mayflower hotel in downtown Washington, D.C.

The USSYP was created by Senate Resolution 324 in 1962 and has been sponsored by the Senate and fully funded by The Hearst Foundations since its inception. Originally proposed by Senators Kuchel, Mansfield, Dirksen and Humphrey, the impetus for the program as stated in Senate testimony was “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.”

Each year this merit-based program brings 104 of the most outstanding high school students – two from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity – to Washington, D.C., for an intensive week-long study of the federal government and the people who lead it. The overall mission of the program is to help instill within each class of USSYP student delegates more profound knowledge of the American political process and a lifelong commitment to public service. In addition to the program week, the foundation grants each of the 104 student delegates a $5,000 college scholarship with encouragement to continue coursework in government, history and public affairs. Transportation and all expenses for Washington Week are provided by the foundation, as stipulated in S.Res.324; no government funds are utilized.

Chosen as alternates to the 2009 program were Ian Shetron, a resident of Flint, who attends Powers Catholic High School and Faith Laken, a resident of Gwinn, who attends Marquette Senior High School.