Dayton's Brett Biebelberg Meets with Senator Robert Menendez

In a meeting with participants from the United States Senate Youth Program, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) singled out New Jersey's winners, Brett Biebelberg of Springfield and Julia Rivera of Blairstown Township, for their achievements.

“I am so proud of the two students here from New Jersey – as I am of all the amazing students here today,” said Senator Menendez. “It is great to see any young person express an avid interest in government, and especially impressive when you realize how many other things these kids are doing, leading, and excelling in."

He added: "Brett and Julia have had tremendous success so far and would certainly be nice additions to the federal government. In the meantime, I hope they enjoy this great program and learn a lot.”

Biebelberg, , attends , where he is president of the Student Council, editor-in-chief of the school newspaper and vice president of the N.J. Junior State of America chapter.  He is also a charter member of the Gay Straight Alliance and belongs to the National and Spanish National Honor Societies.  

The meeting with Senator Menendez wasn't Biebelberg's sole brush with national officials this week. As he has shared with followers of his Facebook and Twitter feeds, Biebelberg's Washington D.C. trip has included stops at the National Archives and the Department of Defense, as well as talks and meetings with the likes of Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Senator John Kerry and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. But that's not all: an avid user of social media, Biebelberg was able to pull one of the greatest "check-ins" possible, logging an appointment at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Julia Rivera attends North Warren Regional High School in Blairstown Township.  She is president of the Student Council, a student representative to the local Board of Education, co-president of the Interact Club, vice president of the National Honor Society and a drum major in the marching band.  She has served as a buddy to U.S. veterans on a previous trip to Washington, D.C., and was a delegate to New Jersey Girls State.  She plans to major in history and minor in Spanish and political science.

The United States Senate Youth Program is a highly competitive merit-based event that brings 104 of the nation’s best and brightest high school students to Washington, D.C. for an intensive weeklong study of the federal government and the people who lead it.

The program aims to give the student delegates a more profound knowledge of the American political process and a lifelong commitment to public service. Founded by Congress in 1962, the program is fully supported by the Hearst Foundations, which provides provide each of the delegates with a $5,000 undergraduate college scholarship with encouragement to continue coursework in government, history and public affairs.

"I am beyond honored to have the opportunity to represent the state of New Jersey at the program," Biebelberg told Patch after his announcement as winner of the program.