Wills
The Indiana Bar Foundation is proud to announce Kerry Ao of Newburgh, a senior at Signature School in Evansville, and Norah Wills of Fortville, a senior at Hamilton Southeastern High School, are Indiana’s 2023 U.S. Senate Youth Program (USSYP) delegates.
Ao and Wills have earned $10,000 Hearst Foundations scholarships and the opportunity to engage with USSYP delegates from all other 49 states, the District of Columbia, and others in a week-long learning opportunity focused on all facets of government March 4 to 11. The USSYP immerses students in the American political process, helping them gain leadership skills and better understand public service.
“We are proud of Kerry and Nora and know they will be outstanding ambassadors for Indiana,” Indiana Bar Foundation President and CEO Charles Dunlap said. “Through our extensive civic education programs, the Foundation continues to invest in opportunities for our students to participate in immersive learning experiences.”
Wills is an active member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honorary Society, and the Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society. She is involved in many civically engaging curricular and extra-curricular programs like We the People, Mock Trial, Key Club, and the Law and Government Academy.
Wills demonstrates her desire for community engagement and her leadership qualities through volunteer organizations and opportunities. She plans to further her education after attending college through law school, where she aims to focus on intellectual property.
This year, nearly 40 students applied for the program, which required completing an application, creating a resume, writing an essay, and submitting a letter of recommendation from their principal. Ten students were selected as finalists and were required to take an exam covering government, public affairs, and history, write a second essay, and complete an interview.
The Indiana Bar Foundation is grateful to Aaron Johnson, General Counsel, Indiana Supreme Court; Jill Twilleager, Curriculum Specialist, McGraw-Hill; and Judge James R. Sweeney, United States District Judge for the Southern District of Indiana for their assistance in determining Indiana’s delegates.