U.S. SENATOR KATIE BRITT RECOGNIZES 2023 ALABAMA SENATE YOUTH PROGRAM DELEGATES

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 21, 2023 — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) today released a statement commending high school students Ella Ryan Duus of Huntsville, Ala., and Stanley Jerome Stoutamire, Jr., of Calera, Ala., who were selected as Alabama’s United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) representatives for 2023.

The USSYP is an intensive week-long educational experience and scholarship for outstanding high school students who are interested in pursuing careers in public service with the mission of providing an in-depth view of the Senate and the federal government overall.

The students recently attended Washington Week to deepen their understanding of the federal government. During their time in our nation’s capital, delegates had the opportunity to attend meetings and briefings with congressional members, the president, a Supreme Court justice, and leaders of cabinet agencies, among others.

Additionally, students were able to meet and converse with their U.S. Senators during a reception in the historic Kennedy Caucus Room. Senators were photographed with their student delegates for the USSYP yearbook – a tradition of more than 59 years – and they presented and personally signed their respective delegates’ scholarship certificates.

“I am proud of Stanley’s and Ella’s accomplishments and their commitment to public service,” said U.S. Senator Katie Britt. “After meeting with them recently, it’s clear their future is bright, as is the future of our great state. I look forward to seeing Ella and Stanley continue to excel, grow, and make their mark for years to come.”

Founded by S. Res. 324 in 1962, the program is sponsored and supported by the Senate and fully funded and administered by The Hearst Foundations. The 104 student delegates also receive a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship to the college or university of their choice with encouragement to continue coursework in government and history.

Ella Duus, a senior at New Century Technology High School, serves as the president of the Student Government Association. She is a National Merit Semifinalist, a two-time national qualifier in Congressional debate, and a RISE Global Winner. She is also the co-founder of Datakata LLC, a machine learning startup that has contracted with NASA, and has won first place in the 2022 Alabama Economics Challenge. Additionally, Ella is the Speech and Debate captain, Model United Nations founder and head delegate, and Academic Team captain for her school. Ella served as the Federalist chair at Alabama Girls State. She plans to enroll in a Bachelor’s and Master’s program in public policy and computer science. Upon graduation from college, she intends to seek hands-on experience in the technology industry before entering a public service career field.

Stanley Stoutamire, Jr., a senior at John Carroll Catholic High School, serves as the Student Government Association treasurer, a student ambassador, a 2022 Alabama 4-H state ambassador, and a 2022 Alabama delegate to 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus. He also serves as the drum major of the Marching Cavaliers and treasurer of his school’s Eco Club. During the summer of 2020, he began an annual community food drive to support his local food bank. He is a member of the National Honor Society, a National Merit Commended Scholar, and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. Stanley plans to attend college to pursue a degree in the medical field. His ultimate goal is to bridge communication barriers between healthcare providers and the government.

A photo is available to download for media usage here.

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