Seniors represent Tennessee at U.S. Senate Youth Program

Over Spring Break, Binyam Dunne ’26 and Saawan Duvvuri ’26 traveled to Washington, D.C. to serve as Tennessee’s only delegates for an intensive study of the federal government and the people who lead it.
By Ian Dinkins, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications

Two seniors from University School of Nashville spent their Spring Break stepping onto one of the nation’s most prestigious stages for student leaders: The U.S. Senate Youth Program. 

Selected as Tennessee’s delegates to the highly competitive program, Binyam Dunne ’26 and Saawan Duvvuri ’26 spent a week immersed in the inner workings of the federal government, meeting national leaders, engaging in policy discussions, and representing their state among the country’s top young scholars.

For both students, the experience was not only an academic opportunity but a defining moment in their leadership journeys.

“I knew that I wanted to study political science, but the Senate Youth program helped me realize that I really want to work in Diplomacy,” Binyam said. “My favorite part of the week was getting to spend time at the Department of State and the Pentagon. It helped me see that international conflict and relationship-building is the field I want to go into.”

For Saawan, a lunchtime meeting with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has stayed with him since he returned to school.

“Hearing the wisdom of Ketanji Brown Jackson while sitting at the Supreme Court enlightened me on what it means to take first steps,” Saawan said. “As a student deeply involved in racial equality work, I have often had to believe in my vision before others could see it. Justice Jackson’s speech reminded me that these firsts are rarely celebrated in the moment, and their meaning only fully emerges through the lives they transform.”

Chosen by Tennessee Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds and officially appointed by The Hearst Foundations, Binyam and Saawan studied government and leadership with 102 other students from across the country, two from each of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Department of Defense’s Education Activity. 

Throughout their visit, they attended major policy addresses by U.S.Senators, discussed pressing national issues, and participated in high-level meetings with the country’s top leaders.

Dunne, who serves as USN’s Student Council Secretary, has been a longtime advocate for civic engagement at USN. As a McMullan Scholar, he leads the Community Action Day committee and has been elected floor leader at the Tennessee Youth in Government conference twice. In Washington, he found inspiration through the program’s military mentors.

“I would say the most memorable part of the trip was the opportunity to engage with our military mentors,” Binyam said. “Each of the 17 mentors that we got to work with had such fascinating stories. We were able to form really close bonds with them, and their dedication to serve was inspiring.”

The students also gained a deeper understanding of the complexity of governance and the importance of dialogue in a polarized era.

“I learned that, yes, our world is in a polarized time, but many of our nation’s political leaders want to bridge that divide,” Binyam said. “Truly listening and trying to understand varying perspectives can make a world of difference.”

“I gained a deeper understanding of how U.S. politicians make decisions and which stakeholders they prioritize,” Saawan said. “My experiences also helped me understand how the U.S. government operates through distinct branches and departments, whose officials have roles and responsibilities that differ significantly, although all share immense power over our nation.” 

Saawan, who serves as chairman of Tennessee State Rep. Bob Freeman’s Youth Advisory Council and is the founder of LiteratureDiversified, a global education nonprofit, found the trip rejuvenating in his efforts to improve his community.

“It is so easy in our generation to get lost [in] social media, but it is much more fulfilling to utilize your life, your talents, and your brain to solve the world’s most pressing issues,” Saawan said. “In America, we have an abundance of opportunities, funding access, and careers that involve enacting meaningful change. It is up to our generation to use our time to take advantage of these opportunities to serve the world.“

Together, Binyam and Saawan exemplified the qualities that USSYP and USN both seek to elevate: intellectual curiosity, commitment to service, and a readiness to lead. 

“As I embark on my final months at USN, I hope to deepen my social impact work and take my goals to new heights,” Saawan said.

Both students will apply what they learned this week and continue to support the USN community before graduating this spring.

“I'll be able to take these insights into my AP Government class, my work as a Peer Educator and Assistant, and just generally as a person,” Binyam said. “I’m so excited to use what I’ve learned during my last few months at USN, in college, and in my career.”

As they return to Nashville, both students carry forward not just memories of high-level meetings and historic institutions but a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of the role they hope to play in the future of public service.
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