Virginia (Ginny) Hugo-Vidal, a senior at Gorham High School (GHS), has been honored as a finalist for the U.S. Senate Youth Program scholarship, run by the U.S. Senate. Every school picks one person for eligibility, and then the State of Maine chooses ten finalists.
On November 6, Ginny traveled to Skowhegan for a day full of interviews, as well as an on-the-spot speech she had to give about a topic chosen by the Committee.
Hugo-Vidal was nominated as the GHS school representative by principal Brian Jandreau. She had to fill out an application, write a research paper on what she would want the U.S. Congress to debate, and a write statement of future intent.
Courtesy of Abbie vanLulingFor the first writing requirement, Hugo-Vidal discussed the idea of the U.S. Senate considering naturalized citizens eligible to run for President. And, as far as her future intent goes, she wants to pursue a four-year college education, and then graduate school, while focusing on a double major of International Relations and Political Science.
“I’d really love to go into the State department, or some form of government,” said Hugo-Vidal. “(My) dream is I’d love to be Secretary of State someday.”
If chosen, Hugo-Vidal would receive a $10,000 dollar scholarship as well as a week long, all expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., where she would spend time with the U.S. Senate.
In the end, all 50 U.S. States will nominate two students to receive the scholarship and trip. The results of the interviews and application process will be announced next month.