It was a very good week for senior Jackson Beck.

On Jan. 14, the son of Matthew and Denise Beck announced at a meeting of the South Portland Board of Education, where he sits as a student representative, that he has been accepted to Yale University. Two days later, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, put out word that Beck is one of two Maine students chosen to participate in the United States Senate Youth Program. As such, he will join 102 other delegates in Washington, D.C., from March 9-16 “to observe the federal government in action.”

Beck’s older brother Evan, a graduate of SPHS, is a junior at Yale.

“I’m thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to represent Maine as a U.S. Senate Youth Program delegate and I look forward to pursuing my interests in politics and government at Yale next year,” said Beck, late last week.

Collins noted in her announcement that she, too, was a member of the Senate Youth Program. In fact, she was the first participant to later win election to the nation’s upper legislative body.

“My commitment to public service was reinforced as a senior in high school when I was chosen as a delegate and traveled to Washington and met Senator Margaret Chase Smith,” she said.

Founded in 1962, the U.S. Senate Youth Program is funded by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. Delegates will visit Capitol Hill, the White House, the Pentagon, the State Department, the Supreme Court, and other institutions in Washington, D.C. They will also meet with Senators, cabinet officials, and various government leaders.

Back and Maine’s other delegate, Thomas Poblador of Berwick, will also each receive a $5,000 college scholarship.

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