Idaho Students Receive U.S. Senate Scholarships

Washington, DC - Two Idaho high school students will travel to Washington, DC, in March as delegates to the 47th Annual United States Senate Youth Program. Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and James E. Risch announced today that Kendall Kiser of Rexburg and Breeze Potter of Fairfield were chosen from hundreds of applicants to join 102 other students from each U.S. state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity.

"The selections for this opportunity to study our government are based on merit, and Idaho's educators and leaders have named Kendell and Breeze as among Idaho's best and brightest," Crapo said. "They will be able to come to Washington, DC, and observe first hand the workings of all three branches of our federal government. We welcome them and hope they find this experience will further their knowledge of government."

"Breeze and Kendell are to be congratulated on their selection as delegates to the U.S. Senate Youth Program. It is very important that young people take an interest in government and prepare to be leaders. I am pleased that these two deserving individuals are taking those steps," said Risch.

The United States Senate Youth Program will be held March 7 - 14, 2009, and is funded by the Hearst Foundation. Participating students receive a $5,000 college scholarship and spend a week studying the workings of government and public service while in Washington, DC. Idaho teachers and Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna provided the Idaho nominations.

Kendall Kiser is Senior Class President at Madison Senior High School as well as President of the Forensics Team, an Eagle Scout and was the 2008 Idaho state debate champion. He also plays varsity soccer and tennis. Kendall hopes to pursue a career in law or medicine.

Breeze Potter is Senior Class Secretary at Camas County High School. She also serves as President of the National Honor Society, Secretary/Treasurer of School Pep Club, Managing Editor of the school newspaper, and is a 4-H livestock program participant. Breeze was selected as the Speech Student of the Year in 2008 and History Junior of the Year. She hopes to attend college at the University of Idaho in Moscow and major in political science with the ultimate goal of becoming a lawyer.

The United States Senate Youth Program was first established in 1964. No taxpayer dollars are allocated or spent for the program.