BATON ROUGE, La. — The United States Senate Youth Program announced that high school students Alena Dmitriyevna Alexeeva of Metairie and Anthony Mark Plaisance of Gray will join U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy and U.S. Senator John N. Kennedy in representing Louisiana during the program’s 64th annual Washington Week, taking place March 7–14, 2026. Selected from among the state’s top student leaders, each will also receive a $10,000 college scholarship.
“This is an extraordinary honor for these students and a proud moment for their educators, schools, and systems,” said Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. “They exemplify the kind of leadership, service, and academic excellence we see in Louisiana schools.”
The United States Senate Youth Program is an intensive week-long educational experience and scholarship sponsored by the United States Senate for outstanding high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service. Two students are selected each year from every state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity.
Alena Alexeeva, a senior at Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy in Jefferson Parish, serves as the school’s National Honor Society President. She is President of her school’s chapter of Future Business Leaders of America and Debate, and was formerly involved in Model UN. In these roles, she has encouraged peers to develop real-world skills for positive impact, including financial literacy, networking, and policy simulation. She has served as her school's Senior Representative on the parish's Youth Wellness Advisory Council, a wellness initiative that reaches hundreds of students. Alena founded a statewide student volunteering platform connecting high school students from 18 schools, and represented Louisiana as a Bank of America Student Leader during an internship at United Way of Southeast Louisiana. Further contributions include translating and transcribing TED Talks for global audiences, volunteering at Tulane Lakeside Children’s Hospital, and developing Artificial Intelligence safety software in partnership with Tulane University. Alena plans to major in business and entrepreneurship with a specific degree in technology, science, and society. Her career plans focus on continuing her AI-focused startup, collaborating to address systemic challenges in technology, and ultimately returning to Louisiana as a civic leader and mentor committed to empowering others and driving positive change.
Anthony Plaisance, a senior at Central Lafourche High in Lafourche Parish, serves as the Louisiana FFA State Reporter. He was selected as a National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Youth Tour Delegate, providing him opportunities to engage with policymakers and industry leaders. As Louisiana Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America State President and Vice President of Service Learning, he has coordinated statewide service projects, led conferences, and managed local chapter activities, including fundraising and shelter donations. Additionally, he served as Central Lafourche Quiz Bowl Co-Captain, and has organized and led events, including leadership camps, community garden projects promoting biodiversity and food security, and initiatives focused on drug and alcohol prevention. He plans to pursue studies in conservation, particularly coastal conservation or natural resource management, at Louisiana State University, followed by advanced education to become an environmental lawyer. His long-term goals focus on integrating a passion for government, public policy, and conservation to drive meaningful, lasting change in both the environment and society.
Named as alternates to the program were Owen Esté of Abita Springs, a student at Fontainebleau High in St. Tammany Parish, and Tyler Wood of DeRidder, a student at Rosepine High in Vernon Parish.
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