FORT MONROE, Va. - A Fort Monroe captain was among the 17 military officers who participated in the 47th Annual U.S. Senate Youth Program in Washington, D.C., recently.
Capt. Elvin M. Cruz-Rivera, the Ordnance Action Officer in the Sustainment Division of ARCIC's Capabilities Development and Assessments Directorate here, spent a week in the nation's capital providing leadership support for the delegation of more than 100 high school students who qualified for this year's USSYP.
"Some of the brightest kids in the country (as well as children from Department of Defense Education Activity schools overseas) are selected for this program, and our primary role as mentors was to share information about ourselves and what it means to serve in the military today," Capt. Cruz-Rivera said. "I was assigned six students and it was my responsibility also to make sure they were on time for all of the various activities scheduled throughout that week."
The military officers travelled with the students as they toured museums, memorials and government buildings - from the senate to the Supreme Court. Of those events, the opportunity to go to the White House and meet President Barack Obama was the most noteworthy, the captain said.
"Wow. That was an amazing experience. This is the busiest guy in the country, but he took the time to shake everyone's hand and made all of us feel very welcome. When I met him, he said 'thank you for your service to the nation' and I responded, 'no, thank you for your leadership.' It was a great moment for me that I never expected to happen. It was really an honor."
Other highlights of the program included the visit to the Supreme Court where the entourage met Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She spent an hour chatting with the students and their mentors about court proceedings and national politics, Capt. Cruz-Rivera said.
The group also mingled with the 54 Senators who attended the annual USSYP reception on March 11. During a visit to Arlington National Cemetery, the students observed the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the lead sergeant on site answered their questions about the unit.
"It was nice to see the Army's significant role in this program," the captain noted. "I felt proud to be a representative of such a great organization."
"Immersing" the student participants in the nation's political process and history has been the goal of the Senate Youth Program since it began in 1962, according to the program's Web site. This in-depth exposure "fuels and sustains" the delegates' commitment to making a difference in their country, communities and schools, it reads.
Participants in the program are not your ordinary high school juniors or seniors, the Web site also noted. Only two are selected from each state, the District of Columbia and DoDEA, and they must meet specific criteria to include service to their community in an elected or appointed position. A demonstrated interest in government, history and politics is a must as well. Each candidate is nominated by their school administrators and most states employ essays and/or personal interviews to determine the most worthy participants.
In addition to the all-expense-paid trip to the nation's capital, each USSYP delegate receives a $5000 undergraduate scholarship to the college or university of their choice with encouragement to continue coursework in government and history.
The military officers chosen for the Senate Youth Program are quite a bit above average as well. The selection process starts with the submission of a nomination packet that details the individual officer's career achievements and educational pursuits. Those are screened by a board representing the Hearst Foundation - the sponsor that pays all expenses for the program - and only one first lieutenant, one captain and one major are chosen from each branch of service.
Capt. Cruz-Rivera said his degree in elementary education probably helped his nomination packet stand out among the rest. He has held a good variety of command and staff positions overseas and within the U.S. over his 12 years in the Army. And he hails from Salinas, Puerto Rico - a background that fit the program's goal of wide-ranging ethnic diversity.
"Looking back on this whole experience, I can honestly say that it's an opportunity no officer should pass up if they meet the basic requirements of the program and have the time to submit a nomination packet," the captain said.
"I think it reinforces your purpose as a military officer. You get to hear first-hand how much our leaders in Washington appreciate our service, and you get to meet these motivated students who might become officers or our nation's leaders someday. It's just an exciting learning experience."
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