SMITHFIELD – Victoria Richard, a senior at Smithfield High School, is one of two Rhode Island students chosen to participate in the United States Senate Youth Program during the 59th annual USSYP Washington Week, March 14-17. “I was beyond ecstatic to get this opportunity,” Richard said. “This was actually the second year in a row I applied for this program. I got rejected the first time, so it was even more exciting when I received the news. As a student who’s been very involved in government and politics since I was a freshman, having the chance to talk to higher-up government officials, Supreme Court justices, and the president is a dream come true.”