08.22.13

Hoeven, Heitkamp Encourage North Dakota Students to Apply for U.S. Senate Youth Program

Educational Program Gives High School Students Chance to Spend Week in Washington Observing Federal Government in Action

WASHINGTON – Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp today announced that the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) is currently accepting nominations from high school students interested in participating in the program’s 52nd annual Washington Week. The senators encourage North Dakota high school students interested in public service and government to apply for the program, which brings students from across the country to the nation’s capital to participate in a week-long study of the United States government. Student delegates receive an all-expense paid trip and a $5,000 college scholarship. The application date for the State of North Dakota is October 20, 2013.

“We are pleased to encourage North Dakota high school students to apply to participate in the historic and prestigious United States Senate Youth Program that is held each year in Washington, D.C.,” the senators said in a joint statement. “This program offers two of North Dakota’s brightest students the unique opportunity to represent our state as they meet with their peers from across the country to gain a firsthand look at our democratic system of government, expand their knowledge and cultivate the skills that will serve them well in their future studies and professional endeavors.”

The USSYP will be held March 8 – 15, 2014, in Washington, D.C. The student delegates will visit Capitol Hill, the White House, the Pentagon, the State Department, the Supreme Court and other historic sites in Washington, and meet with senators, cabinet officers, government leaders and other policymakers.

Two delegates will be chosen from each state. The program’s strongest candidates are students with outstanding leadership abilities, a firm commitment to public service and high academic standing. The delegate selection is administered by each state’s chief school officer in cooperation with high school principals. Interested students should contact their local high school principal or the state-level selection administrator, Pauline Iler, at pailer@nd.gov.

Delegates must be high school juniors or seniors and elected student officers for the 2013 – 2014 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 by a panel, commission or board to district, regional or state-level civic or educational organizations. Delegates must also be permanent residents of the United States.

More than 5,000 students have participated in the USSYP since its founding in 1962. Several have gone on to become government officials, including members of Congress, military leaders and foreign ambassadors. This year, Daniel Wassim of Bismarck and Aaron Weber of Wishek were selected to represent North Dakota during the 51st USSYP. More information is available at www.ussenateyouth.org.