FOR IMMEDIATE RELASE<\/p>\n
MEDIA CONTACT:<\/span> BALTIMORE (January 15, 2026)<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Today, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) announced that\u00a0O\u2019Marie Barnes<\/strong>, Crossland High School senior (Prince George\u2019s County) and Student Member of the State Board of Education, and\u00a0Jeremy Wong<\/strong>, Reservoir High School senior (Howard County), will serve as Maryland\u2019s delegates to the\u00a0U.S. Senate Youth Program (USSYP)<\/a>. Barnes and Wong will represent the state during the 64th Annual USSYP Washington Week held March 7 through March 14.<\/p>\n Sponsored by the U.S. Senate and funded by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, USSYP provides two high school delegates from each state with an opportunity to gain firsthand insight into the democratic process. Two Maryland students were also selected as alternates: Jordan McDaniel Salkeld<\/strong>, Towson High School (Baltimore County Public Schools), and\u00a0Foresight Oluwamitoke Ogungbe<\/strong>, Eastern Technical High School (Baltimore County Public Schools).\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cO\u2019Marie and Jeremy exemplify the leadership, civic engagement, and academic excellence that define Maryland\u2019s future,\u201d said\u00a0Dr. Carey M. Wright, State Superintendent of Schools<\/strong>. \u201cTheir achievements reflect the strength of our schools and communities. We are proud of their selection in this extraordinary program.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe are especially proud that O\u2019Marie, one of our own Board members, will represent Maryland at the national level. His commitment to student voice and leadership is inspiring,\u201d said\u00a0Dr. Joshua Michael, State Board of Education President<\/strong>. \u201cBoth O\u2019Marie and Jeremy demonstrate the qualities that will shape the future of education and civic engagement in our state.\u201d<\/p>\n The students will receive a $10,000 college scholarship and join the delegation of 104 student leaders from across the country for a week of intensive study and discussion on government and public affairs. Each delegate will engage directly with senators, cabinet members, and other national leaders.<\/p>\n Delegates and alternates are selected by state departments of education after nomination by teachers and principals. The chief state school officer for each jurisdiction confirms the final selection.\u00a0<\/p>\n ###<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" FOR IMMEDIATE RELASE
<\/span>Raven Hill, 410-767-0486<\/span>
<\/span>raven.hill@maryland.gov<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nHoward, Prince George\u2019s Seniors Selected as 2026 U.S. Senate Youth Program Delegates<\/b><\/h2>\n
\nMEDIA CONTACT:<\/span><\/span>Raven Hill, 410-767-0486<\/span><\/span>raven.hill@maryland.gov<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n