GALION, Ohio—Jacob Dretzka, a senior at Galion High School, has been selected to participate in the 53rd Annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) that will be held March 7 – 14 in Washington, D.C.
Dretzka is one of 104 students who will attend this program. Each year, this extremely competitive merit-based program brings 104 of the most outstanding high school students — two from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity — to Washington, D.C. for an intensive week-long study of the federal government and the people who lead it.
The overall mission of the program is to help instill within each class of USSYP student delegates more profound knowledge of the American political process and a lifelong commitment to public service.
In addition to the program week, The Hearst Foundations provide each student with a $5,000 undergraduate college scholarship with encouragement to continue coursework in government, history and public affairs.
The chief educational officer in each state selects the delegates after nomination by teachers and principals. This year’s delegates were designated by Dr. Richard A. Ross, Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Though he didn’t participate in the selection process, Galion High School Principal Ron Williams agreed that Dretzka deserves this prestigious honor. “Jacob is just great all around,” he said. “He’s good academically, involved in things outside of academics, just a very active kid.”
He continued, “This is a great accomplishment and it really speaks to the type of kid he is.”
When Dretzka heard the news that he had been selected, he was “overjoyed,” he said.
He said he’s always had an interest in politics and is hoping to one day become a U.S. senator. “I like the senate because senators have the most power out of any member of Congress,” he said. “A member of the House is one of out of 435, but a member of the Senate is one percent of the votes.”
In addition to serving as president of the Ohio High School Democrats, Dretzka attends the Richland County and Crawford County Democratic Party meetings and sometimes volunteers for political campaigns.
In regard to the trip, he said he’s looking forward to meeting the president, touring the White House and speaking with a Supreme Court justice.
While in D.C., he will attend meetings and briefings with senators, House representatives and congressional staff, the president, a Supreme Court justice, leaders of cabinet agencies, an ambassador to the United States and senior members of the national media.
He will also tour many of the national monuments and several museums and will stay at the historic Mayflower Hotel in downtown Washington, D.C.
Dretzka, the son of Ronald and Susan Montgomery, serves as the senior class and student council secretary, president of the National Honor Society, council member at Peace Lutheran Church, and participates in the Key Club, mock trial team and runs cross country.
He plans on majoring in economics and international affairs in college. He has already been accepted into The Ohio State University and he said he’s waiting to hear back from his preference, Georgetown University.
