Will Brochu ’26 Selected for Prestigious U.S. Senate Youth Program

Each year, two students from each state are selected to participate in the highly competitive U.S. Senate Youth Program. On December 3, New Hampshire Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut announced that Brewster’s Will Brochu ’26 will be representing his home state along with Ryan Casey of Bishop Brady High School in Concord. 

Brochu and Casey were selected by a panel of judges who evaluated the pool of top students nominated by school leaders throughout the state. Both students will receive a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate study, and they will represent the Granite State in an intensive study of the federal government in Washington, D.C. this coming March.

In his announcement, Commissioner Edelblut noted, “Will currently serves as Class President where he demonstrates a talent for inspiring others and creating meaningful initiatives. Will, who is from Concord, plans to dedicate his career to public service where he can positively impact others. Active in community involvement, he volunteers at his church’s food pantry, with the Special Olympics and the Miss Amazing pageant. He also served as an intern for a gubernatorial campaign, which further fueled his passion for service and leadership.”

On campus, Brochu is also an Admissions Tour Guide and the co-founder of a new club that aims to raise awareness of social injustices and create a forum for generating solutions through roundtable discussions grounded in the principles of civic discourse. Plus, he plays both Varsity Lacrosse and Varsity Hockey.

This Bobcat was clearly exuberant over the announcement when we caught up with him in Estabrook the day of the announcement. “It’s a great honor, and I’m really excited to represent New Hampshire in Washington. Meeting and learning from Senators, the Cabinet, and even the President will be an experience like no other!” he said, adding, “The resources we have as Brewster students, such as the College Counseling Office and the Writing Tutor Center, helped me to have a competitive application, and I wouldn’t have this amazing opportunity if it wasn’t for the support of my Brewster family.”

Head of School Kristy Kerin is proud that Will was selected to represent New Hampshire amidst such a competitive group of applicants, noting, “We are excited to see him make the most of this tremendous opportunity. Will has demonstrated a deep commitment to civic engagement and the political process and I am eager to see his interest grow through the U.S. Senate Youth Program.” 

Team Leader Alicia Wingard had even more kudos. “I think the world of that young man,” she said, explaining that she saw him open up to new ideas and issues on her Interim Studies experience learning about the Civil Rights Movement in Alabama last winter. 

The U.S. Senate Youth Program seeks students of the highest caliber, Mrs. Wingard notes, saying in her recommendation that “Will unquestionably meets the high expectations and standards required for this prestigious program. His intellectual curiosity, leadership, and deep commitment to civic engagement are perfectly aligned with the program’s mission. His integrity, passion for governance, and desire to make a meaningful difference in the world are truly exceptional.”

“The U.S. Senate Youth Program provides a unique opportunity for high school students to look inside our federal government. William and Ryan will represent New Hampshire in this highly competitive program that could further expand their leadership skills and public service endeavors, while also exploring potential studies in political science and history,” said Edelblut.

The scholarships are provided by the Hearst Foundations, which has funded the program since its creation in 1962. The program is run by an advisory committee that includes an equal number of Democratic and Republican Senators, including New Hampshire’s Jean Shaheen. More than 6,000 students have participated, including Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Maine Senator Susan Collins, and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

You can watch Will's interview on WMUR and hear more about this exciting opportunity here.