The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) is pleased to announce that the state departments of education nationwide have begun the selection processes for the 60th annual Washington Week to be held March 5 – 12, 2022. During the comprehensive education, leadership and public service learning experience, 104 student delegates will be chosen to meet their U.S. senators and other government officials, and each delegate will receive a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship. The 2021 Washington Week was held online due to the pandemic. The 2022 Washington Week will take place in-person pending public health and safety guidelines for travel and indoor gatherings. Any updates will be posted on the United States Senate Youth Program website: ussenateyouth.org.
The USSYP was created by Senate Resolution 324 in 1962 as stated in supporting Senate testimony from that year, “to increase young Americans’ understanding of the interrelationship of the three branches of government, the caliber and responsibilities of federally elected and appointed officials, and the vital importance of democratic decision making not only for America but for people around the world.”
This extremely competitive merit-based program brings two high school juniors and seniors from every state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity, to Washington, D.C., or into an online forum, for an intensive week-long study of the federal government and its leaders. The state departments of education throughout the country select the students through a rigorous nomination and selection process.
The $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship is given to each student in the name of the United States Senate, with encouragement to continue coursework in history, government and public affairs. Military officers who serve as elite chaperones and mentors to the student delegates throughout the week are also competitively selected through the Office of the Secretary of Defense, representing one of the longest standing partnerships between a national youth program and the Department of Defense. The Hearst Foundations have fully funded and administered the program since inception; no government funds are utilized.
APPLICATIONS must be clearly POSTMARKED no later than October 8, 2021. Applicants who are unable to mail the application should contact Amber Pirnique at (501) 682-5764 or amber.pirnique@ade.arkansas.gov for assistance.
A selection committee comprised of Arkansas Department of Education officials, educators, and other experts in the field will screen all eligible applicants and make recommendations to the Arkansas Secretary of Education. Selection is based on outstanding ability and demonstrated qualities of leadership. Complete rules and information about eligibility are contained in the attached brochure. If you have questions regarding this scholarship opportunity, please contact Amber Pirnique, USSYP State Coordinator, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, at (501) 682-5764 or by email at amber.pirnique@ade.arkansas.gov.
Additional information and applications are available on the DESE website at: https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/learning-services/curriculum-support/united-states-senate-youth-program