PHOTO: Heinrich Congratulates New Mexico U.S. Senate Youth Program Delegates

(U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) meets with New Mexico's United States Youth Senate Program delegates, March 6, 2019.)

(U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) meets with New Mexico's United States Youth Senate Program delegates, March 6, 2019.)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 6, 2019) – Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) met with and congratulated New Mexico’s two student delegates for the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP), Katherine Broten of Farmington and David Fillmore, Jr. of Alamogordo.

Each year, two students from each state and the District of Columbia – as well as two children of service members stationed and living abroad — are selected in a highly competitive merit-based process to participate in a week-long study of the federal government and its leaders. The students visit Capitol Hill, the White House, the Pentagon, the State Department, the Supreme Court and many other historic sites in Washington. The program agenda includes meetings with senators, the president, cabinet secretaries, and other key policymakers. Each of the student delegates also will receive a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship.

“Seeing our democracy and systems of government first-hand is an invaluable experience,” said Senator Heinrich. “I’m proud of Katie and David’s dedication to serving their communities. These up-and-coming young leaders show us that our state and our country’s future remains bright. I hope this incredible opportunity will instill in both of them a lifelong commitment to public service, and I look forward to seeing all that these student delegates accomplish in the years ahead.”

Katie Broten, a senior at Piedra Vista High School, serves as the Student Body president, and has volunteered at San Juan Medical Foundation, Pinon Hills Community Church, and for the San Juan Democratic Party. Katie has been part of the Mayor's Teen Advisory Council and New Mexico Public Education Department's Student Leadership Network as well as being a representative of Better Angels Debate Society. She runs both track and cross country for her high school and she has received many awards including being named 'Best Debater' by the National History Academy and the 'Women's History Award' from the New Mexico Department of the Humanities.

David Fillmore, a senior at Alamogordo High School, serves as the secretary of New Mexico State University-Alamogordo Student Council. He is the founder and managing director of the nonprofit organization Multicultural Idea Exchange World Initiatives. He serves as the senior patrol leader for Boy Scouts of America Troop 127, and has been recognized as an Eagle Scout and a member of the Order of the Arrow. Subsequent to his participation in the New Mexico Boys State, he was awarded the American Legion Prospero L. Sanchez Scholarship and the Eastern New Mexico University Presidential Talent Award. David has dedicated his time as a precinct captain for the Steve Pearce for governor campaign.