Monike Santana, a student at Catherine McAuley High School, is currently in Washington, D.C. representing Maine at the 46th Annual United States Senate Youth Program. Santana, who is from South Portland, is one of two high school students from Maine who were chosen to spend a week in Washington to observe the federal government in action. During a ceremony in the Russell Senate Office Building on Wednesday, Santana met with U.S. Senator Susan Collins, who is the first former delegate to the U.S. Senate Youth Program ever elected to the U.S. Senate.
Santana is a member of the Student Council at Catherine McAuley High School. She is President of the Spanish Club and Captain of the Field Hockey Team. Monike also participates in kick-boxing, Key Club, Ambassadors Club, Civil Rights Team, Mock Trial, Drama Club, and she volunteers at the Preble Street Soup Kitchen.
The United States Senate Youth Program was established in 1962. Since then, more than 4,100 students have participated in this unique leadership program.
Santana and each of the 102 student delegates chosen to participate, will receive a $5,000 college scholarship. Since its inception, the program has been fully funded by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation.