FRANKFORD — Augustus “Gus” Fadden started his interest in politics during the 2016 presidential election.

“My first political experience was going to the Trump rally at Stephen Decatur High School (in Berlin, Maryland) in April 2016,” the Indian River High School senior said. “During that cycle, I learned about the primary process, the Electoral College, the two major parties, even some third parties and so much more.

“I’ve just always since then found learning more about history, government and politics to be interesting. I still do daily research about various topics, just for the sake of enriching my knowledge. I do eventually want to run for public office, and I want to get the resources I need and help change the world ASAP.”

Gus, a Frankford resident, is one step closer to his journey. He, along with Justin Xu, a senior at the Charter School of Wilmington, will join U.S. Sens. Thomas R. Carper and Christopher A. Coons in representing Delaware during the 59th annual United States Senate Youth Program March 14-17.

The annual educational experience is geared for outstanding high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service. Two student leaders from each state normally spend a week in Washington, experiencing their national government in action. This year’s session will be virtual due to the pandemic.

In addition, each delegate is awarded a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies, with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science.

“For me, being selected means recognition of my potential as someone with a future career in politics,” Gus said. “Especially considering how my political ideology differs from the strong majority of other delegates selected, I think it speaks to my ability as an effective communicator of my ideals.”

The USSYP was created by Senate Resolution 324 in 1962 and sponsored by the Senate, and fully funded by The Hearst Foundations since inception.

The program’s overall mission is to help instill within each class of USSYP student delegates more profound knowledge of the American political process and a lifelong commitment to public service.

Gus said it is an honor being selected as one of the state’s top student leaders to be apart of the 104 student delegation.

“I’m expecting to learn more from different people at different levels of government about not only the inner workings of our government but why people wish to serve and how they do so,” Gus said.

He serves as the president of his school’s National Honor Society. He has been class president for the past two years, with the current-year election pending. He has volunteered for two U.S. Senate campaigns and is the founder and chairman of Sussex TeenAge RepublicanS (STARS).

He said his school nominated him for the Senate program.

“Once I was nominated, I had to take a test,” Gus said. “The test determined roughly 12 finalists throughout the state, which then led to a face-to-face virtual interview with a panel, including teachers and even a former delegate.”

After the interview, two delegates were selected.

“It took about two to three weeks to hear a response,” Gus said. “The longer it took, the more I wanted an answer. When I found out I was selected, I was getting interviewed about my recent music achievements with my friend Abby. I went to check my email looking for an update on something completely unrelated when I got the email about being selected as a delegate.”

Gus said he’s excited about being surrounded by like-minded individuals.

“I imagine for a program that only 104 students across the country get picked for isn’t going to be chocked full of Wikipedia-level knowledge,” Gus said. “I’m hoping I’ll get to learn about issues, people and government at a much more exclusive level.”

During the program week, the student delegates will attend online meetings and briefings with senators, the president, a justice of the Supreme Court, leaders of Cabinet agencies, and senior members of the national media.

“I got the chance to speak with Senator Tom Carper,” Gus said. “Despite political differences, I found the conversation to be fascinating, and I learned a lot from the stories he told us not just politically, but personally, and what it means to serve others.”

Along with this political activities, Gus has earned 15 awards in Marine Corps JROTC and achieved the rank of second lieutenant.

He is vice president of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, the leader of the marching band low brass/winds section since 2018 and performs in a gospel band.

He has also been a member of six All-County and four All-State Band and Choir ensembles, an All-Eastern Concert Band ensemble and two All-National Concert Band ensembles, and he has been in every school ensemble including jazz band, baroque, brass and a capella choir and pit orchestra.

He is considering further education at the University of Delaware or West Chester University as a political science major.

“As college has gotten more expensive over the past few generations, the $10,000 will help alleviate the cost and allow me to invest that now-saved money into future endeavors,” Gus said.

He said the experience and knowledge he hopes to gain during the program will be beneficial when it’s time for him to run for office one day.

“I want to have a political career,” Gus said.

“My goal is to run young, win young, and retire young so I can live to see the results of my work. Getting into a program that can help me better understand how to go about that sounded like an amazing opportunity. As someone who also believes in term limits and elimination of pensions, this only motivates me to help make an impact on the world around me even sooner.”

Arshon Howard is a freelance writer living in Dover.