The U.S. Senate Youth Program (USSYP) has selected senior Aina Katsikas as one of two delegates to represent Hawaii in its highly competitive, prestigious program for students.

Delegates will travel to Washington, D.C. in March 2015 for a week to observe and experience the Federal government in action.

Katsikas is aiming for a career in journalism and has already studied in a five-week summer program at Northwestern University in summer 2014.

Katsikas said, “I was beyond excited when I found out I was accepted because the program’s agenda is jam-packed with politics and opportunities to meet key leaders like President Obama.”

In addition to the all-expenses trip, Katsikas also receives a $5,000 college scholarship.

Rayne Guilford, program director of the USSYP, said, “The USSYP was founded in 1962 through Senate Resolution, and each year two of the highest-achieving students from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education system overseas are selected through an extremely competitive merit-based selection process held at the state departments of education nationwide.  Congratulations to Aina and to all of you at Sacred Hearts Academy!”