Dear Secondary Principals and Counselors:
The United States Senate unanimously passed a resolution in 1962 creating the UNITED STATES SENATE YOUTH PROGRAM (USSYP). This annual national initiative seeks to provide an opportunity for junior and senior high school students, with demonstrated leadership abilities, to enhance their understanding of America’s political processes and encourage their interest to pursue careers in public service. The program is an amazing opportunity for motivated student leaders to have direct contact with the highest-level elected and appointed officials in the nation. Two students from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity will be selected to participate in a week-long, all expenses paid, intensive educational program in Washington, D.C. in March 2022. The selected students will also be awarded a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship.
You are encouraged to nominate high school juniors and seniors serving in an elected or appointed position during the 2021 – 2022 academic year with a strong interest in government and history. The application is attached and available online at https://www.mdek12.org/OTL/OTC/recognition. All documents should be received or postmarked by October 1, 2021. No faxed or late entries will be accepted. Please make copies of the application and brochure as needed. There is no limit as to the number of students nominated from a particular school or district. All eligible candidates will be notified by email of their advancement to the next phase in the process.
For questions, please contact Sandra Hilliard at shilliard@mdek12.org or by phone at 601.359.3631.