WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) announced today that it has begun its statewide selection process, and Senators Susan Collins and Angus King encourage Maine high school students to apply.

The USSYP brings two students from each state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity to Washington to experience an intensive week-long educational program about the workings of the Senate and the federal government overall. Maine’s two selected students will join 102 other delegates March 8th through March 15th, 2014 for the program’s 52nd annual Washington Week.

“I have the honor and 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 Senator Margaret Chase Smith, the first woman in history to serve in both the House and the Senate.  I encourage all interested high school students to apply to participate in this worthwhile program.”

“The United States Senate Youth Program offers an extraordinary opportunity for two Maine high school students to join their peers from across the country in getting an inside look at public service and how the government works,” Senator King said. “In Maine, we are fortunate to have our very own outstanding former delegate in Senator Collins, and I’m proud to join her in encouraging all interested students to apply.”

Each of the 104 student delegates will receive a $5,000 undergraduate college scholarship, in addition to the all-expenses paid trip to the nation’s capital, where they will 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 officers, government leaders and other policy-makers. The USSYP program is fully funded by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation.

More than 5,000 students have participated in the leadership program since its creation in 1962, including Senator Collins who holds the distinction of being the first program delegate elected to the U.S. Senate.

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 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.

Names of students selected will be formally announced mid-December. Interested students should contact their high school principal or the state-level selection administrator:

Ms. Kristie Littlefield

Social Studies Specialist

23 State House Station

Augusta, ME  04333-0023

(207) 624-6828

Kristie.littlefield@maine.gov

The Maine selection deadline is October 15, 2013.

The 2014 program brochure with detailed rules, selection process and the annual yearbook may be accessed at: www.ussenateyouth.org.

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