WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Thad Cochran, R-Miss., today encouraged Mississippi high school students to apply to represent the state at the 2018 U.S. Senate Youth Program (USSYP).

The USSYP has set an October 13 deadline to submit applications to participate in the 56th annual USSYP Washington Week in Washington, D.C., and receive a $10,000 undergraduate scholarship.  Applications will be accepted from high school seniors or juniors involved in student government, civic, or educational organizations.  The selection of Mississippi’s two delegates will be based, in part, on academic achievement, leadership capabilities and public service.

“The U.S. Senate Youth Program continues to provide incredible opportunities for students to build important leadership skills and experience the nation’s capital firsthand,” Wicker said.  “Mississippi students should not hesitate to apply for this year’s program.”

“The U.S. Senate Youth Program is a respected scholarship program that offers opportunities for young, civic-minded leaders to join with their peers to learn more about our American government,” Cochran said.  “I hope eligible students from across Mississippi will apply to be part of the 2018 program.”

The USSYP is a competitive merit-based program consisting of scholarships and a week-long trip, March 3-10, 2018, to Washington for each of the 104 delegates from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity.  The non-profit Hearst Foundation fully funds and administers the USSYP.

The U.S. Senate established the program in 1962 to introduce student leaders to the federal government and public policy.  The USSYP Washington Week program includes meetings with U.S. Senators, a Supreme Court Justice, Defense Department officials, cabinet secretaries, and other policymakers.

Mississippi’s 2017 Senate Youth Program delegates were Cade Slaughter of Hattiesburg and Braeden Foldenauer of Southaven.

Interested students can visit www.ussenateyouth.org for more information or access the 2018 USSYP brochure outlining the rules and selection process information here: http://bit.ly/2vpjlOJ.  Again, the deadline to apply for the USSYP program is Oct. 13, 2017. 

Students may also contact their high school principal or Mississippi’s state-level selection administrator:

Dr. Vernesia M. Wilson
Director
Mississippi Department of Education
(601) 359-2153
Vwilson@mdek12.org