• United States Senate Youth Program 

                      United States Senate Youth Program Logo                                                    

    Welcome to Delaware's dedicated webpage for the United States Senate Youth Program!   

    The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP), established in 1962 by U.S. Senate Resolution, is a unique educational experience for outstanding high school students. Each year, two student leaders from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity spend a week in Washington, D.C., experiencing their national government in action. Student delegates hear major policy addresses by senators, cabinet members, officials from the Departments of State and Defense and directors of other federal agencies. Delegates also participate in a meeting with a justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition, each delegate will be awarded a $10,000 college scholarship.

    The 61st Annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) Washington Week will take place March 4 - 11, 2023, with an in-person program in Washington, D.C., pending public health and safety guidelines for travel and indoor gatherings.  

     For more information, visit USSYP Brochure & Press Release 

     

  • Selection Process in Delaware

    Each Delaware high school may nominate one student to apply for the USSYP.

    • The 2022-2023 application is now available
    • Applications are due Thursday, October 13, 2022
    • Applications must be emailed to Michael Feldman
    • The USSYP Government, Public Affairs and History Test will take place on Tuesday, October 25, 2022
    • Virtual interviews will take place on Tuesday, November 15, 2022
     

  • How to Qualify

    Qualified junior or senior high school students must show demonstrated leadership through public service in elected or appointed positions in organizations that relate to government, public affairs, history, and/or community service.  To quality, students must meet the following criteria:

    • Students must be currently serving in an elected or appointed position representing a constituency during the entire 2022-2023 school year: see USSYP Brochure for qualifying positions
    • Will be attending high school in your state in the U.S. through graduation Spring 2023
    • Interested in and participating in leadership, public service and government related activities
    • Must be able to attend the entire 2023 in-person or online Washington Week March 4-11, 2023
    • Provide 2 signed letters of recommendation.  Letters must be from a school administrator or guidance counselor and a social studies teacher.
    • Provide a copy of school transcript

    RESIDENCY – Each student must be a permanent resident of the United States and currently enrolled in a public or private secondary school located in the state in which at least one of their parents or guardians currently resides.

    • Exceptions to the residency requirement will only be made in the following cases (in Delaware, this only applies to the Delmar School District): Students may reside in a state other than the state in which they attend school if they are enrolled in the only designated public high school available to them in a school district that legally crosses contiguous state borders through legal interstate agreement. Students in these schools shall make application to the program through the state where the high school is located and shall represent that state if selected.

     

    Important Documents

    Document and pen photo   USSYP 2022-2023 Application

     

    Washington DC Capitol building   USSYP 2022-2023 Official Brochure

     

    envelope  USSYP 2022-2023 Press Release

     

    For questions on USSYP in Delaware, contact Michael Feldman.
Last Modified on August 10, 2022