Author: ussyp

View from Abroad: the United States Senate Youth Program Ambassador Luncheon

Have you ever considered a career in diplomacy? Many Senate Youth delegates are passionate about international relations, so it is a cherished Washington Week tradition to welcome Washington’s diplomatic elite at the Annual Ambassador Luncheon. Invariably the Ambassadors offer delegates a deeper perspective on international affairs, foreign policy and America itself. In addition to providing an overview of their home countries’ politics, history and culture, the Ambassadors also share …

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Leaders Behind the Scenes – Senate Secretary Julie Adams

Almost every American interested in current events is familiar with political leaders who are in the headlines every day.  However, during Washington Week Senate Youth delegates go beyond the headline-makers and meet several of the dedicated and powerful behind-the-scenes leaders in our Capitol. Spending the morning with the Secretary of the Senate and the Senate Parliamentarian is always a highlight of Washington Week, and at …

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Delegate Essays Bring To Life Fond Memories of an Amazing Washington Week

We put out the call, and the delegates of the 53rd annual United States Senate Youth Program Washington Week have answered. Reflective essays describing this once-in-a-lifetime experience have come from all parts of our great nation. All the essays will be posted in their entirety in June, but until then, we would like to share a few excerpts. What was Washington Week? You could say …

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Spotlight on Washington Week Partner: The National Archives

Senator Richard Burr is the keynote speaker under the Archives’ Rotunda in 2013. The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) and the National Archives and Records Administration enjoy a rewarding and exciting educational partnership.  The annual group visit is a highlight of Washington Week where the students receive a customized tour of the exhibits and documents as well as a special speaking session with the …

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Military Mentors Have a Lifelong Impact on USSYP Delegates

The United States Department of Defense has supported  the United States Senate Youth Program from the program’s inception by lending extraordinarily accomplished military officers in service as mentors to the student delegates for Washington Week.  In fact this represents one of the longest standing partnerships  between the United States military and a national youth organization, and the officers are given the formal title of Military …

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Senate Officers, Often Behind The Scenes, Play Starring Roles in USSYP

Secretary Nancy Erickson with South Dakota Delegates Gina Elmore and Lane Haskell A youth leadership program sponsored by the United States Senate has its privileges.  One of the highlights of Washington Week each year is the opportunity for the student delegates to meet with the Senate’s most senior officers who address the group and reserve time to take many questions.  Senate Historian Don Ritchie, Secretary …

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Senate Co-Chairs Make All the Difference

The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) is a profound example of how beneficial a public-private partnership can be.  Begun in 1962 through Senate Resolution 324, the fifty-three year old program has been fully funded by The Hearst Foundations and sponsored by the Senate since inception – no government funds are utilized. Senators support the program through serving on the USSYP Advisory Committee; the Senate Majority …

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2014 USSYP Yearbook hits the stands!

Senator Jon Tester with Montana delegates Rachel Skaar and Sharidan Russell Each year the United States Senate Youth Program publishes a yearbook that is a life-long keepsake for all of the Washington Week student delegates. The yearbook is also sent to all Members of the Senate, all of the speakers who graciously gave their time, all state departments of education nationwide that select the students, …

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USSYP Military Mentors: Elite Officers Guide Students Through Washington Week

The students who are selected as delegates for the United States Senate Youth Program are among the highest achieving in the nation, both academically and through in-depth extracurricular commitments in student politics, community service, athletics and artistic pursuits.  Arriving in Washington, D.C., they are met by a cadre of elite military officers, also hand-selected through a highly competitive process, representing each branch of Military Service, …

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Students Speak Out During Washington Week

USSYP Student Activities Director Steve Cox conferring with student Farewell Speakers Owen Lyons and Olivia Castor This month’s blog post features leaders among leaders: profiles of the two student delegates who were chosen by the group to serve as the Farewell Speakers on the final evening of Washington Week 2013. A program tradition, each year the students create their own nominating and auditioning process to …

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