United States Senate Youth Program
Education • Leadership • Public Service
Each year, the U.S. Senate Youth Program asks two sitting senators, one from each party, to serve as active Co-Chairs, each committing to an evening keynote speaking event that gives the students a rare chance to hear personal stories and career and life advice from some of the most influential elected officials in the country. Co-Chairs have used humor, rousing enthusiasm, quiet personal reflection and …
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 …
Read more View from Abroad: the United States Senate Youth Program Ambassador Luncheon
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 …
Read more Leaders Behind the Scenes – Senate Secretary Julie Adams
Back to School Reading: 2015 Yearbook Hot Off the Presses The annual United States Senate Youth Program yearbook, which hit the shelves this summer, makes great September reading for anyone interested in government, education, leadership and public service. The USSYP yearbook is distributed in hard copy as a lifetime keepsake for the student delegates, featuring beautiful photos and comprehensive summaries of the fantastic speaking events …
Read more Back to School Reading: 2015 Yearbook Hot Off the Presses
Martin Luther King Memorial For me, the Washington Week experience served as a call to action: to campaign for justice and equality, to seek creative and inclusive solutions, and to use my talents for the betterment of my nation. Devyn Rigsby, IL – 2015 Arlington Cemetery The most impactful experience of my week was on the last day walking through the Arlington National Cemetery. I saw …
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 …
Read more Delegate Essays Bring To Life Fond Memories of an Amazing Washington Week
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 …
Read more Spotlight on Washington Week Partner: The National Archives
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 …
Read more Military Mentors Have a Lifelong Impact on USSYP Delegates
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 …
Read more Senate Officers, Often Behind The Scenes, Play Starring Roles in USSYP
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 …