Overview
What is the United States Senate Youth Program?
The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP), established in 1962 by U.S. Senate Resolution, is a unique educational experience for outstanding high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service. Two student leaders from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity will spend a virtual week in Washington experiencing their national government in action. Student delegates will hear major policy addresses by senators, cabinet members, officials from the Departments of State and Defense and directors of other federal agencies, as well as participate in a meeting with a justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition, each delegate will also be awarded a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies, with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science.
The 61st annual United States Senate Youth Program Washington Week is being planned for March 4–11, 2023. The program may be held online pending public health guidance and status of large group access to the government venues traditionally visited. If held in person, all delegates will be required to be fully vaccinated and boosted to attend.
All eligible students are encouraged to apply. A final decision regarding the in-person program will be determined in the fall of 2022, with adequate time for students to complete the full vaccination series prior to travel. If held online, vaccination status will not be required. Students must attend the program to receive the scholarship. Regardless of platform, all student delegates will partake in a comprehensive, interactive leadership program in the stated timeframe, and each will receive the $10,000 college scholarship in the name of the United States Senate
For additional information, please review the USSYP brochure on the William Randolph Hearst Foundation website at https://ussenateyouth.org/.
Criteria
Each student applicant must be a permanent resident of the United States and currently a junior or senior enrolled in a public or private high school. The school must be located in the state in which either one of the applicant's parents or guardians legally reside. The student applicant must currently be serving in an elected capacity in any one of the following student government, civic or educational organizations and continue to serve in that elected position for the entire 2022-2023 school year:
- Student body: President, Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer
- Class President, Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer
- Student Council: Representative
- District, regional, or state-level civic or educational organizations: Representative.
- School clubs (e.g., Chess Club) are not considered civic or educational organizations
A student attending a school located in a state other than the state of legal residence of his or her parents or guardians is not eligible.
Selection will be based on academic accomplishments, community service, and demonstrated qualities of leadership for the current school year.
Students may qualify to apply through leadership positions they currently hold per the USSYP official criteria for the current 2022-2023 academic year. All student leadership positions are subject to the judgement and verification of the state selection administrators.
Who is eligible to apply?
Each student applicant must meet all of the following criteria:
- U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident (proof required)
- Currently enrolled in an accredited public or private high school (home school students must belong to a home school association, or the Education Alliance group, located in Nevada in which either one of his/her parents or guardians legally resides)
- Currently serve in an elected or selected capacity in any one of the following student government, civic, or educational organizations: student body president, vice-president, secretary, or treasurer
- class president, vice-president, secretary, or treasurer
- student council representative
- student representative elected or appointed (appointed by a panel, commission, or board) to a district, regional, or state-level civic and/or educational organization approved by the state selection administrator
- home school students must be an elected or selected officer or student representative to a district, regional, state-level or national civic or educational organization (include the name of the organization, the elected office, and briefly summarize the election/selection process in Section 1 of the application)
What are the requirements?
Each student application must meet the following required guidelines:
- Demonstrate leadership qualities through public service in elected or appointed positions
- Actively serve in qualified leadership positions for the entire 2022-2023 academic year
- Exhibit high academic achievement
- Understand U.S. government and history
- Involved in school and community activities
- Write with clarity, express ideas in an organized and original fashion, and appropriate use of standard English
- Exhibit excellent interpersonal skills
- Participate in school and community activities
- Attend Washington Week, March 4-March 11, 2023.
- Must attend an interview (either in person or via video conference) with the selection committee and complete a written exam.
Deadlines
Each high school can nominate two students, additionally, students may self-nominate. Students can be nominated by completing the student nomination form. All nominations must be submitted by 5 pm September 28, 2022. You can access the nomination form here.
Nominated students will receive an application on September 28, 2022. Students must submit their full application by 5 PM, October 21, 2022. Applications must include:
- Application
- Written Assessment
- Essays
- Four letters of recommendation
Completed applications must be submitted by 5pm on November 21, 2022. Please submit to Jaynie Malorni at jmalorni@doe.nv.gov
Who do I contact if I have additional questions?
If you have any questions regarding the United States Senate Youth Program, please contact: Jaynie Malorni at jmalorni@doe.nv.gov