The United States \;Senate \;Youth Program (USSYP) is an intensi ve week-long educational experience and scholarship sponsored by the Unite d States \;Senate \;for outstanding high school students who are i nterested in pursuing careers in public service.
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\nThe missio n of the United States \;Senate \;Youth Program is to provide a ye arly opportunity for selected students to gain an in-depth view of the&nbs p\;Senate \;and the federal government overall as well as a deeper und erstanding of the interrelationship of the legislative\, judicial and exec utive branches. The program provides a foundation of knowledge and encoura gement for those considering a future of public service on the local\, sta te or national level. \;
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\nThe USSYP is a true partnershi p among government leaders\, state and national education leaders and Amer ica&rsquo\;s future leaders. Two high school juniors or seniors are select ed each year from each state\, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity to serve as delegates to Washington Week.\n
\nDuring Washington Week the student delegates meet and learn from the highest level elected and appointed officials in Washington. The delegates attend briefings and meetings with \;senators\, the presiden t\, a justice of the Supreme Court\, cabinet members\, federal agency lead ers and senior members of the national media. At least seventeen military officers\, representing each of the military services and the Coast Guard\ , serve as mentors for the students during the week. The military mentors are competitively selected by Department of Defense staff\, representing o ne of the longest standing partnerships between the Department of Defense and a national youth program. \;This in-depth exposure to leadership at the highest levels is precisely what fuels and sustains the delegates&r squo\; commitment to making a difference in their country\, communities an d schools.
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\nThe 104 student delegates also receive a $10\,00 0 undergraduate college scholarship to the college or university of their choice with encouragement to continue coursework in government and history . The Hearst Foundations have fully funded the USSYP since its inception\, including transportation\, accommodations\, meals and individual college scholarships &ndash\; no government funds are ever utilized.
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\nThe selection process begins when public and private high school teacher s and principals nominate qualified students starting in early fall. To qu alify\, students must hold or have held student body office or another ele cted or appointed position in their communities and show academic interest and aptitude in government\, history and politics. \;The program is merit-based and highly competitive and the chosen delegates are consist ently of the highest caliber in the nation.