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William Randolph Hearst Foundation United States Senate Youth Program

Each year, the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, in cooperation with the United States Senate and the education departments of all the states, sponsors the United States Senate Youth Program. Two student leaders from each state and the District of Columbia are selected to participate in a week-long government leadership program in Washington, DC (all expenses paid). The students engage in a series of seminars and briefings with Senators and members of the House of Representatives, and meet with officials of the executive and judicial branches of government. Each student delegate will also receive a one-time $10,000 college scholarship, provided that two full courses in United States, government, history, and/or political science are taken by the student at an accredited institution during the student’s future college or university career.

The Washington, DC segment of the 2024-25 program will take place from:

 March 1 - 8, 2025.

The principal of a New York State high school may select one or more candidates for this statewide competition. Any high school junior or senior is eligible. The student must hold a high-level leadership position in any one of the following student government, civic or educational organizations during the entire 2024-2025 academic year academic year under rule 1 (a-e) of the USSYP brochure, subject to verification and the judgement of the state selection administrator:

  • Student Body president, vice president, secretary, or treasurer
  • Class president, vice president, secretary, or treasurer
  • Student Council representative.
  • A National Honor Society officer (including discipline-based Honor Societies such as the National English and Social Studies Honor Societies that include service components)
  • Student representative elected or appointed (appointed by a panel, commission or board) to a local, district, regional or state-level civic, service and/or educational organization approved by the state selection administrator, where the student holds a position of representation to a constituency providing service to others.

A student who is a representative to a district, regional or state-level civic or education organization may also be nominated. 

​See USSYP brochure for further qualification details.

CHECKLIST OF APPLICATION MATERIALS:

  • Completed USSYP 2025 application
  • Signatures of the following:
    • Student
    • Parent(s)/Guardian(s)
    • Principal
    • Guidance Counselor
  • Official academic transcript with non-weighted GPA
  • Required Essay – Note instructions on how to submit and the proper format
  • Two letters of recommendation
    • High school principal or teacher
    • Adult advisor to the organization or student body entity

The student application materials must be postmarked on or before: 

Friday, October 25, 2024 5:00 pm

Special Notes:

  • If any of the above is missing from the final application packet, the application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.
  • The application and all required materials must be submitted by the October 25, 2024 deadline.
  • Do not send extra materials. They will not be considered.

For additional questions please contact:

Lisa Pingelski 

State Selection Administrator, NYS US Senate Youth Program

NYSenateYouth@nysed.gov

518-474-5922