Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen Welcomes This Session's Senate Scholars to the Wisconsin Department of Justice

“It's encouraging to see some of the youngest of Wisconsin's citizens already taking a leadership role and learning more about how they can be of public service to the people of our great state,” Attorney General Van Hollen said.

MADISON — Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen visited yesterday with young leaders from around Wisconsin who are participating in this year's Senate Scholar Program.

“It's encouraging to see some of the youngest of Wisconsin's citizens already taking a leadership role and learning more about how they can be of public service to the people of our great state,” Attorney General Van Hollen said.

Van Hollen answered questions related to the work of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and to his personal experience in public service.

“One of my top priorities since being elected Attorney General has been protecting children,” Van Hollen said. “And it's rewarding to share our passion for public safety and the rule of law at the DOJ with young minds equally passionate to learn.”

The Wisconsin State Senate offers the Senate Scholar Program, a highly competitive week of educational experiences for 33 high school junior and senior students selected from across the state. The scholars gain invaluable experience in areas such as public policy development and the legislative process, and constituent relations. The scholars also get to work directly with Senators and their staff as well as faculty of the University of Wisconsin.

The week in downtown Madison culminates with a mock legislative hearing, only after the scholars have completed other activities such as bill and amendment drafting, policy and fiscal analysis, constituent communications and lobbying.

Below is a list of the students participating in this session of the Senate Scholar Program:

Madeline Bird, Nicolet High School
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Ty Bodden, Stockbridge High School
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McKinley Kant, Verona Area High School
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Benjamin Kind, Neillsville High School
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Brandilyn Kochera, North Crawford High School
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Zachary Lauridsen, Osceola High School
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Alexander Lux, Nathan Hale High School
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Jack Rector, Osceola High School
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Elizabeth Schounard, Hamilton High School
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Alexander Schultz, Hamilton High School
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Jennifer Sharpe, Fond du Lac High School
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Link to Group Photo:
http://www.doj.state.wi.us/news/images/group-photo-20120215.JPG

Additional information, including an agenda, is available at the following link:
http://legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/scc/ssp/senatescholar.asp