Sig student selected for Washington D.C. program, includes $10,000 scholarship
Originally published December 2019
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Eilidh MacLeod was overwhelmed with disbelief after receiving a call that she was one of two Indiana high school students selected to meet government officials in Washington D.C. and receive a $10,000 college scholarship.
Earlier this month, the Signature School junior found out she was chosen as a delegate for the United States Senate Youth Program's Washington Week, which gives outstanding high school students the opportunity to see the government's daily operations and network with other students interested in public service.
Along with interacting with U.S. government representatives and students, MacLeod and others will be awarded a $10,000 college scholarship for their undergraduate studies.
"I really didn't expect it," she said. "Of course I've been hopeful and thought there was a possibility, but when I got (the call) I didn't believe it in the moment. I was so excited and honored that they would choose me to represent not only Evansville but Indiana on a national scale."
This year, 61 Indiana students applied for Washington Week.
The program, established in 1962, is offered to two students from each state. And while Signature has had previous USSYP winners in the past, MacLeod is the first since 2015.
"When you see a student put so much effort into the application process, and because (MacLeod) is such an exceptional student, it was great to see her work be recognized," said José Mota, the school's AP U.S. government instructor.
MacLeod and nearly 100 other students will attend Washington Week March 7-14, 2020. During the week-long program, they will attend meetings and briefings with senators, members of the House of Representatives, leaders of cabinet agencies, ambassadors to the United States and members of the national media.
"I think everything from meeting the senate historian and U.S. Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch is going to be completely life-changing," MacLeod said. "We're going to see such a diversity of ways to serve, and I don't think people talk about viable ways to serve our nation. I'm really looking to see how people contribute and the roles they play."
From a young age, MacLeod knew she would do something in public service. She initially had her sites on a career that was STEM and research-based, but over time she said she felt her skills were fitting for a path more law and policy-focused, she said.
MacLeod's goal is to attend law school and specialize in public policy and political speech writing.
Mota said since he's known MacLeod she's always shown "stellar knowledge" in government coursework, and the two worked closely as she prepared for the USSYP application.
"At any point our students get recognized on a national level it's fantastic," he said. "Not only for the school but it's also fantastic for the teachers... Seeing the kids get independently recognized for their work because of the things they do in the school kind of uplifts us all and confirms our vision for the school."
MacLeod said she intends on using her experience from the 58th annual event to help others as she continues her academic and career pursuits.
"Not only do I want to be a resource for future recipients but I also want to take what I learn and bring it back to Evansville," she said. "I value this community, and I want the people here to feel like they are represented."