MANCHESTER, NH – Michael Blair, a senior at Central High School, is one of two New Hampshire students selected to participate in the 62nd Annual U.S. Senate Youth Program.
Blair and James Thibault, of Winnisquam Regional High School, were selected by a panel of judges who evaluated the pool of top students nominated by principals 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, virtual study of the federal government in Washington, D.C. this coming March.
“I am very honored to have received this scholarship,” Blair said. “I look forward to this opportunity and am excited to be able to represent Central and New Hampshire as a delegate for the United States Youth Senate Program.”
Blair has served as class president for the past three years. He is editor-in-chief of Central’s school newspaper and is involved with the Choose Love Movement. Using his role on the Governor’s Youth Advisory Council on Substance Misuse and Prevention, Blair utilizes positive peer pressure to advance New Hampshire’s No Safe Experience campaign and advocates against teen drug use. The three-sport athlete also serves as a student ambassador at Safe Sports where he promotes youth sports safety and healthy behaviors.
“Michael continues to impress us on all levels,” said Central Principal Debora Roukey. “This honor is well deserved and we are confident he will make us proud and get the most out of this amazing experience. Michael is a natural born leader who will undoubtedly excel in the Political Science field. Congrats from all of us at Central!”
“Michael’s exceptional academic, leadership, and extracurricular achievements, coupled with his unwavering dedication to making a positive impact has made him an outstanding member of our school community,” said William Cannon, Blair’s guidance counselor. “He possesses a unique combination of intellectual curiosity, kindness, and the ability to inspire and lead others.”
The last Manchester School District student selected as a delegate for the U.S. Senate Youth Program was actually Blair’s older brother, Matthew, a 2022 graduate of Central High. Matthew Blair took part in the program two years ago. Ricky Truong, a 2023 graduate of Memorial High, was selected as an alternate for the program last year.
“We are so proud that Manchester School District has been well-represented in this prestigious program,” said Superintendent of Schools Jennifer Chmiel Gillis. “To be one of two students selected from the state, and one of 100 nationally, puts Michael in some pretty select company. I’m excited for him to take on this experience, which will surely serve him well in the future.”
The scholarships are provided by the Hearst Foundations, which has fully funded the program since its creation in 19
For more information, visit the U.S. Senate Youth Program website.