DOVER, Del. – Senators Tom Carper, Chris Coons and Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (all D-Del.) will host their annual Congressional Youth Conference for more than 100 Delaware high school juniors on Friday, May 25 at Wesley College. The delegation is currently seeking civic-minded high school juniors to apply for the conference. Interested students should contact their school’s administration or guidance office for application details. The late U.S. Senator Bill Roth organized the first Youth Leadership Conference in 1969. Roth hosted the annual conference until 2000.
Students will have an opportunity to interact with their congressional delegation in an open forum setting, during which the students will discuss issues important to them. After their discussion with the delegation, students break into sessions where they will spend time with a member of the delegation in a more personalized setting discussing topics such as:
“Our Youth Conference brings together some of the brightest young minds in Delaware to share their ideas, questions and aspirations with their Congressional delegation,” said Senator Carper. “While at the conference, they will gain valuable connections with their peers and learn about how they can be engaged in their school and community. For years I’ve enjoyed listening to students and sharing my personal story, and I look forward to convening this next group of future leaders in this very pivotal year for student engagement.”
“For the last 40 years, Congressional Youth Conference attendees have benefited enormously from Senator Roth’s vision,” Senator Coons said. “This conference is an opportunity for students and young leaders from all over the First State to share their thoughts and gain some real insight about the challenges facing our country today. I look forward to hearing from these young people who truly are Delaware’s future leaders.”
“Delaware’s students are leading marches to end gun violence and advocating for the issues that matter to them, and during this critical time, we need to listen to what our youth has to say,” said Congresswoman Blunt Rochester. “For 49 years, our annual Congressional Youth Conference has provided an engaging forum for students to interact with Delaware’s Congressional delegation, share their aspirations, and gain an understanding of the major policy issues facing our country. I am excited to hear from the First State’s young leaders, and I look forward to convening this important discussion.”
School administrators or guidance counselors who are interested in registering students should contact Shavonne Bailey at Shavonne_bailey@coons.senate.gov.