Del. Rich Anderson announces 2015 class of his Future Delegate Program

Delegate Richard L. Anderson (R-51) has announced selections for his third annual 51st House District Future Delegate Program at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond during January and February 2015.

This year’s selected students are: Chase Langston (Woodbridge High School), Hope Campbell, Bryce Catlett, Madeleine Busse (Osbourn Park High School), Madison Miller (Nokesville K-8), Samantha Warner (Brentsville High School), Everett Catlett (Pennington Traditional School), Samantha Boaten (Gar-Field High School), Colleen Ranieri (John Paul the Great), Kayleigh Harris, Erik Parnell (Porter Traditional School), Daniel Sanchez (Salem Church Middle School), David Johnson (Forest Park High School), Amber Clauss, (Parkside Middle School), Ethan Seitz (Patriot High School), Isaac Morlu (Lake Ridge Middle School), Joshua Rosene (Christ Chapel Academy), Theresa Green (Benton Middle School), Hannah Navarre, Sydney Hillegas, Joshua Gray, Seth Hatfield, Nathaniel Hatfield, Rose Charboneau, Charis Vaseghi (Homeschooled).

The program is open to students from grades 7-12.  All students are welcome to participate, regardless of party affiliation or views. The Future Delegate Program focuses solely on the legislative process and exposes students and families to legislative life in Richmond. The goal is for students to return home after a full day in Richmond with a greater appreciation for the public policy process.

Anderson’s goal is to motivate students to pursue public service as their chosen profession as an adult. Selected students will visit the capital for a one-on-one shadowing experience with Delegate Anderson.  Students follow the delegate to committee meetings, House of Delegates sessions, and any special events taking place on the day of their visit.  Applications are accepted each year in December for the following year’s legislative session.

Since the opening of this year’s legislative session on Jan. 14, six Future Delegate Program students have spent the day with Anderson in Richmond.

Since 2013, nearly 100 students and their families have spent the day in the Virginia state capitol with the delegate, who also serves as chair of the Virginia Commission on Civics Education.

Anderson stated “for these students, a day in Richmond at the General Assembly is a total-immersion experience on public policy making. The behind-the-scenes look at the legislative program complements what these students have learned in government, history, and civics classes, and I’ve learned as much as they have.”

Soon after the legislative session ends on Feb. 28, Anderson and his staff will start planning for the 2016 Future Delegate Program, using lessons learned from the 2015 program.