Senator Collins Announces 2013 Senate Youth Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins is pleased to announce that the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) has begun its statewide selection process for 2013. Two outstanding Maine high school students will be selected to join other delegates from each state and the District of Columbia to spend a week in Washington, D.C. for the program's 51st annual Washington Week.
The students are scheduled to visit Capitol Hill, the White House, the Pentagon, the State Department, the Supreme Court, and other historic sites in Washington. They will meet with senators, cabinet officials, and government leaders. Since USSYP was founded in 1962, more than 5,000 students have participated.
"I have the honor and the privilege of being the first delegate to the United States Senate Youth Program elected to the U.S. Senate," said Senator Collins. "My commitment to public service was reinforced as a senior in high school when I was chosen as a delegate and traveled to Washington and met with Senator Margaret Chase Smith. I encourage all interested high school students to apply in order to participate in this worthwhile program."
Each student delegate will receive a $5,000 undergraduate college scholarship, in addition to an all-expenses paid trip to Washington provided by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. The USSYP program is fully funded by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation.
The delegate selection is administered by each state's chief school officer in cooperation with high school principals. Delegates must be juniors or seniors and elected student officers for the 2012-2013 academic year, and they must reside in the state where they attend school. Eligibility considerations may also be made for student representatives elected or selected to district, regional, or state-level civic or educational organizations.
Each student must be a permanent resident of the United States and be currently enrolled in a public or private secondary school located in the state in which either one of his or her parents or guardians legally resides.
USSYP reports that the Maine selection deadline is October 15, 2012. Names of the students selected will be formally announced in mid-December. Interested students in Maine should contact their high school principal or the state-level selection administrator below:
Ms. Kristie Littlefield
Social Studies Specialist
23 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0023
Ph. (207) 624-6828
The USSYP 2013 program brochure contains detailed rules and additional information about the selection process, and it may be accessed at www.ussenateyouth.org.
