January 11, 2022, Washington, D.C. —The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) announces that high school students Mr. Joshua Toshio Makaʻala Ching and Mr. Enjl Melchizedek Himoya will join Senator Brian Schatz and Senator Mazie K. Hirono in representing Hawaii during the 60th annual USSYP Washington Week, to be held March 6 — 9, 2022. Joshua Ching of Waipahu and Enjl Melchizedek Himoya of Hilo were selected from among the state’s top student leaders to be part of the 104 national student delegation who will each also receive a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate study. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the 2022 program will be held online, through a comprehensive and highly interactive virtual education and leadership forum.
Each year this extremely competitive merit-based program provides the most outstanding high school students - two from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity - with 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 Hearst Foundations provide each student with a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship with encouragement to continue coursework in government, history and public affairs. All expenses for Washington Week are also provided by The Hearst Foundations; as stipulated in S.Res.324, no government funds are utilized.
Enjl Melchizedek Himoya, a senior at Hilo High School, serves as first vice president of the Student Association. Elected to student government for the past four years, he continues to serve his peers in positions in school and for the state. As chair of the Hawaii State Council, he represents nearly 170,000 students where he supports youth initiatives and promotes leadership training. He is also a dedicated leader in JROTC and heads a variety of co-curricular activities. His efforts have not gone unnoticed having received numerous service awards. Enjl isinterested in government and politics and worked as an intern at the Hawaii County Mayor's Office creating digital content. He is eager to represent Hawaii and his hometown of Hilo, and wants others to know that Hawaii is not just a small island state but a powerhouse for youth intellectual wealth.
Delegates and alternates are selected by the state departments of education nationwide and the District of Columbia and Department of Defense Education Activity, after nomination by teachers and principals. The chief state school officer for each jurisdiction confirms the final selection. This year’s Hawaii delegates and alternates were designated by Keith T. Hayashi, Interim State Superintendent.
During the program week, the student delegates will attend online meetings and briefings with senators, the president, a justice of the Supreme Court, leaders of cabinet agencies, among others.
In addition to outstanding leadership abilities and a strong commitment to volunteer work, the student delegates rank academically in the top one percent of their states among high school juniors and seniors.
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