United States Senate Youth - Current N.C. Delegates -2024

Congratulations to William (Liam) Drake and Anne (Annie) Eilers, this year's winners of the United States Senate Youth Program in North Carolina!  As winners, the two will represent North Carolina and its two U.S. Senators, Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, during an intensive week-long educational experience held in Washington, D.C., March 2–9, 2024.  Liam and Annie will also receive $10,000 undergraduate college scholarships with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science. The scholarships are awarded in the name of the United States Senate.  Both Liam and Annie will be officially recognized by the North Carolina State Board of Education and North Carolina's State Superintendent of Public Schools during a state board meeting, upon their return from week long learning experience in Washington, D.C.  Read the bios below of North Carolina's delegates and alternates for 2024.

Here is the list of speakers Liam and Annie got to hear and engage with during Washington Week 2024:

  • North Carolina's U.S. Senator Thom Tillis
  • North Carolina's U.S. Senator Tedd Budd
  • Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) USSYP Democratic Co-Chair
  • Senator John Barrasso, MD (R-WY) USSYP Republican Co-Chair
  • Senator Bill Cassidy, (R-LA)
  • President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden
  • Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Elena Kagan
  • Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (MO D-5th)
  • U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken
  • Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg (USSYP – IN 2000)
  • Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Q. Brown, Jr.
  • NOAA Administrator Dr. Richard Spinrad
  • U.S. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen Clarke
  • Ambassador Rebecca Gonzales, State Department Director of Foreign Missions
  • Secretary of the Senate Ann Berry
  • Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough
  • Senate Historian Dr. Katherine Scott
  • Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden
  • Judy Woodruff, senior correspondent and former anchor, The PBS Newshour
  • Brian Kamoie (USSYP – PA 1989) Managing Director Cyber and Strategic Risk, Deloitte
  • ...and others

 

 

 

Annie Eilers and William Drake 2024-1.png

2024 USSYP Delegates William Drake and Anne Eilers with North Carolina Senators Tillis and Budd

 

Delegate Reflection Essays

Each year after Washington Week the USSYP student delegates are asked to submit an essay reflecting upon their experience. Excerpts from selected essays are then published in the annual USSYP Yearbook for distribution to all senators, speakers, and students. Below are William and Anne's unedited essays.  

 

North Carolina's 2024 Delegate Winners

Liam Drake is a junior at Woods Charter School in Chapel Hill, NC. He serves as Student Council Treasurer and At-Large 11th Grade Representative and leads Model UN. He has won honors at the school and the national level for achievement in music, social studies, public service, French, and science. An avid pianist, he performs on a full leadership scholarship with the NC Chamber Music Institute. He also officiates soccer with the NC State Referees Association and is active in his church community.

Annie Eilers is a senior from Providence High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. She has a passion for educational policy which she has had the privilege of exploring through her work as President of Charlotte Mecklenburg Youth Council. At school, Annie is part of the Spanish Club, Teen Democrats, National Honor Society, and student council. She aims to pursue a career in policy and activism, especially in economic justice. In her free time, Annie enjoys the
beach, reading, baking, and working out.

North Carolina's 2024 Alternates

The winning delegates must attend the entire week-long educational program in Washington D.C. to receive the $10,000 scholarship. If either delegate, for some reason, is unable to attend the entire week-long program, the first or second alternate will be asked to attend. The alternate replacing the delegate who was unable to attend would also receive the scholarship.  
Ram Charan Venkata Petluri - Alternate 2024-2.jpg Lane Portrait

Ram Charan Petluri is a high school student who is focused on generating a positive impact on his community. Ram attends Cox Mill High School, serving 424 students as the Junior Class President. As the Head of Community Outreach for Framework for Future, a nonprofit organization, Ram strives to uplift others by organizing events that give back to underprivileged groups and spread awareness. Ram is interested in pursuing careers in the fields of business, economics, or political science.

Lane Miller is a senior at Ashe County High School and North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. He is the elected treasurer of his school's BETA Club and serves on the board of Ashe Food Pantry and the CARE Network. Lane takes pride in ensuring families in his rural community never go hungry and never go without heat or electricity in the winter. Lane has been awarded the Gold President's Volunteer Service Award and was Ashe County's Youth Volunteer of the Year for 2023.

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National Press Releases 

USSYP 2024 Senate Youth Selection Process 

2024 USSYP NATIONAL PRESS RELEASE-1.pdf  Download 2024 USSYP NATIONAL PRESS RELEASE-1.pdf 

USSYP 2024 Senate Youth Winners in NC

Press Release - North Carolina's 2024 Senate Youth Delegate Winners.pdf Download Press Release - North Carolina's 2024 Senate Youth Delegate Winners.pdf

 

USSYP 2024 Washington Week Photos 

View Photos Taken During the Washington Week Experience 

March 2 -9  USSYP Washington Week 2024 Links to an external site.

Please Use the Credit Bulleted Below When Posting or Sharing Any Photos Found at the Links Above. 

      • © Photo by Jakub Mosur and Erin Lubin

 

 

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