Baucus, Tester announce U.S. Senate Youth Program participants

Big Timber and Stevensville students to represent Montana

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester today announced the names of two young Montanans chosen to participate in this year’s U.S. Senate Youth Program.

Baucus and Tester said Samuel Hodges of Big Timber and Katherine Neher of Stevensville will represent Montana during the weeklong event in Washington, D.C., March 7-14.

Only 104 young Americans are selected to take part in the U.S. Senate Youth Program every year.  Montana Senator Mike Mansfield helped establish the yearly forum to help young leaders better understand the federal government, Congress, and the responsibilities of its members.

“Samuel and Katherine are proven leaders now, and they’ll continue to be leaders in the future,” Baucus said.  “I’m proud to have them represent Montana this year, and I look forward to following their success down the road.”

“These Montanans are smart as a whip, and they’re dedicated to their communities and to public service,” Tester said.  “We’re lucky to have folks like Samuel and Katherine leading the way in the future.”

In addition to attending the weeklong event in March, Hodges and Neher will each receive a $5,000 college scholarship.

Hundreds of students apply to take part in the U.S. Senate Youth Program every year.  Hodges and Neher were chosen among a field of applicants by Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau.

More information about the U.S. Senate Youth Program is available online HERE.

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Samuel Hodges is Senior Class President at Sweet Grass County High School. He is involved with speech and drama, track and field, Lettermans' Club, International Club, Boy Scouts, American Legion Boys State, Concert Band, National Honor Society and Honor Jazz Band.  Samuel hopes to pursue a political science degree with a pre-law focus.

Katherine Neher attends Loyola Sacred Heart High School. She is a participant in Girls State, speech and debate, Missoula Youth Symphony, Missoula Children's Theater Performing Arts Camp, National Honor Society, Model United Nations, and the Missoula Youth Choir.  Katherine plans to study vocal performance and political science, get a master's degree in public policy, and become either a teacher, a musician, or a politician.