Wayne School of Engineering senior, Isaac Carreño, is one of two North Carolina students selected to participate in the 2022 United States Senate Youth Program and Scholarship (USSYP). As a USSYP delegate, he will also receive a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies, with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science.

The USSYP was founded in 1962 through Senate Resolution and each year two 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.  

“We look forward to having Mr. Carreño represent Wayne County Public Schools and North Carolina in the United States Senate Youth Program,” states Dr. David Lewis, WCPS Superintendent. “This program will provide him an in-depth view of the Senate and the federal government. The experience will also give him a strong foundation for any future plans he has for public service.”

To qualify for the USSYP, students must hold or have held student body office or another elected or appointed position in their communities and show academic interest and aptitude in government, history and politics. The program is merit-based and highly competitive and the chosen delegates are consistently of the highest caliber in the nation.

Mr. Carreño serves as president of his school’s Key Club. He has also served as his class president, volunteers as a tutor at a local middle school, and volunteers with migrant children who need tailored assistance as they integrate into the American school system. Mr. Carreño has started the process of implementing a tutoring program across his local county that serves Latinx students.

In a provided bio, he shared that it is his hope to study law, serve in some aspect of the American government, and believes the USSYP experience will enable him to learn more about government and politics as well as give him unique perspectives to help guide him in his future career in political science and law. He also feels that representing North Carolina will allow him to give back to the community.