CARSON CITY, Nev. – Morgan Heath-Powers, a senior at the Davidson Academy, and Jack W. Heinemann, a senior at Damonte Ranch High in Reno, each earned a $10,000 2019 U.S. Senate Youth Program (USSYP) scholarship in a statewide competition run through the Nevada Department of Education.

Heath-Powers and Heinemann will have the opportunity to meet with Nevada’s U.S. Senators, Catherine Cortez-Masto and Jacky Rosen, during a week-long trip to Washington D.C.

At the Davidson Academy, Heath-Powers is the President of the state chapter of DECA, she is involved in American Legion Girls Nation, and she is a youth representative on the Reno Youth City Council. Heinemann is the Damonte Ranch High Student Body President.

“It’s always a pleasure to honor such very accomplished young people who I am certain have public service in their future,” said Jonathan Moore, Deputy Superintendent, Nevada Department of Education. “This scholarship recognizes two student leaders and gives them a nice financial reward for their future education. It is also a wonderful opportunity to see our nation’s capital up close and learn about our nation’s political process.”

The first alternate is Joseph Page, a senior at Yerington High School, and the second alternate is Olivia Akina Yamamoto, a senior at Coronado High School.

The U.S. Senate created the USSYP to provide a yearly opportunity for talented young people with demonstrated leadership abilities to deepen their understanding of America's political processes and strengthen their resolve to pursue careers in public service. The USSYP brings together officials from each branch of government together with the scholarship recipients, two from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity for an intensive week-long educational program held in Washington, D.C. The program is merit-based and highly competitive. Each student also receives a one-time $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship funded by the Hearst Foundations with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science. Students receiving these scholarships are serving in an elected capacity in student government, civic or educational organizations and continue to serve in that elected position for the entire 2018-2019 school year.