THS - Thompson High School Senior Kaelci Theuri has been selected into the prestigious United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP), one of the nation’s most distinguished honors for student leaders. Kaelci makes history as the first student from Thompson High School ever chosen for this remarkable program in its 64-year history, a distinction that speaks volumes about her leadership, intellect, and commitment to public service.
Kaelci was selected alongside just one other senior from Alabama from a highly competitive pool of the state’s most accomplished student leaders. Together, they will represent Alabama as part of an elite national delegation of 104 outstanding students—two from each state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity. During this intensive, week-long program in Washington, D.C., delegates will engage in an unparalleled study of the federal government, meeting with United States Senators, the President, a Supreme Court Justice, and other senior leaders shaping our nation. Each delegate is also awarded a $10,000 undergraduate scholarship, reinforcing the program’s mission to encourage continued study in government, history, and public affairs.
Kaelci’s selection is a natural extension of her extraordinary record of leadership and service. She currently serves as SGA President and as one of Alabama’s elected SkillsUSA State Officers, representing more than 20,000 career and technical education students statewide. As Captain of the Thompson High School Debate Team, she has led her team to back-to-back state championships while mentoring younger students in policy analysis, research, and public speaking. Her passion for civic engagement extends beyond campus as a certified docent at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, where she educates visitors on Alabama’s civil rights history and facilitates meaningful dialogue on social justice and civic responsibility.
In the Alabaster community, Kaelci serves as co-chair of the Alabaster Teen Council’s Teen Connections program, amplifying student voices through citywide communication initiatives. She is also developing a children’s book designed to inspire elementary students to explore careers in the skilled trades, blending storytelling with mentorship and community engagement. Her broader involvement includes Girls Inc. of Alabama and numerous service initiatives focused on education, youth empowerment, and equitable access to community resources. Kaelci plans to attend Vanderbilt University to study international relations, with aspirations to continue her education at Georgetown University Law Center and to pursue a career as an international relations attorney and United States diplomat.
The 2026 United States Senate Youth Program co-chairs are Senator Katie Britt of Alabama and Senator Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts. The program is supported by a distinguished, bipartisan Senate Advisory Committee that includes the Vice President of the United States, Senate leadership, and Senators from across the nation who lend their voices and leadership to this historic initiative.
Established in 1962 by Senate Resolution 324, the United States Senate Youth Program was created to inspire America’s most promising young people to view public service as a noble and lifelong pursuit. Funded entirely by The Hearst Foundations since its inception, the program boasts more than 6,300 alumni, many of whom have left lasting marks on public life, including United States Senators, Cabinet members, Governors, and Members of Congress.