Dawson Frost from Churchill County High School earns U.S. Senate Youth Scholarship

Dawson Frost, a senior at Churchill County High School, knew he made the cut for this year’s U.S. Senate Youth Program scholarship.

But to achieve the role as a first delegate was a surprise for him when Nevada’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, Steve Canavero, presented the forms to him Friday.

“It will be my first time going to D.C.,” he said. “I love history, politics, and government. It’s going to be an exciting experience.”

Frost and a second delegate from the Davidson Academy each received the $10,000 scholarship and will have the opportunity to meet with Nevada’s U.S. Senators, Dean Heller and Catherine Cortez-Masto, during a week-long trip to Washington D.C.

The last CCHS student to receive this scholarship was Garrett Kalt in 2014, said Principal Kevin Lords.

“It’s a great caliber for people to recognize at this school,” he said. “He’s a great student.”

On top of taking the lead as the high school’s Student Body President, Frost is currently in many advanced placement courses. He was named to the Academic All-State Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association Cross Country team in both 2015 & 2016 and is a member of the National Honor Society. He is a member of the Epworth United Methodist church Youth Group and volunteers at the local public library.

“It was a pleasure meeting these two accomplished young people with very bright futures,” Canavero said. “This scholarship recognizes two student leaders and gives them a nice financial reward for their future education. It is also a wonderful opportunity to see our nation’s capital up close and learn about our nation’s political process.”

Pranit Nanda earned the second delegate position. He is currently serving as the Davidson Academy Student Body Treasurer. He served a two-year term as a Nevada youth Legislator and is currently a Reno Youth City Council Member.

The City of Reno proclaimed April 12, 2017 as Pranit Nanda Day.

He served as a research intern for the economics department at the University of Nevada, Reno and has also taken 400-level finance courses.

He was primarily involved in studying entrepreneurial and regional economies and wrote a report that earned him a place as a finalist in the MIT INSPIRE competition. He was selected as Treasurer of the World Affairs Club at Davidson Academy for the 2017-2018 school year and is a teacher’s assistant for Spanish classes.

The first alternate is Morgan Heath- Powers, a junior, at the Davidson Academy and the second alternative is Alexis Calin, a senior at Advanced Technologies Academy in Las Vegas.

The U.S. Senate created the USSYP to provide a yearly opportunity for talented young people with demonstrated leadership abilities to deepen their understanding of America’s political processes and strengthen their resolve to pursue careers in public service.

The USSYP brings together officials from each branch of government together with the scholarship recipients, two from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity for an intensive week-long educational program held in Washington, D.C.

The program is merit-based and highly competitive. Each student also receives a one-time $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship funded by the Hearst Foundations with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science.

Students receiving these scholarships are serving in an elected capacity in student government, civic or educational organizations and continue to serve in that elected position for the entire 2018-2019 school year.