Students invited to apply for Senate youth program

High school juniors and seniors in Idaho will once again have the chance to join peers from across the country for an in-depth exploration of public service careers with the prestigious United States Senate Youth Program. Two delegates will be selected to represent Idaho during a week of learning and networking in Washington, D.C.

Each year, two student leaders from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity get the opportunity to spend a week in Washington experiencing their national government in action. Students will hear major policy addresses by senators, cabinet members, officials from the departments of State and Defense and directors of other federal agencies. Schedule allowing, they will also participate in meetings with the president and a justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. All transportation, hotel and meal expenses will be provided by the Hearst Foundations, and delegates will receive a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science.

“Watching Idaho’s young people transform into the leaders of tomorrow is always a privilege, and I hope that civics-minded high schoolers will take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield. “I’m eager to see what this year’s applicants have to offer.”

Last year, Idaho selected high school senior Alyson Reed from North Gem High School in Bancroft and junior AnnMarie Wolfley from Snake River High School in Blackfoot for the honor.

To be eligible, students must be actively serving in qualified leadership positions, enrolled in high school and living in the state that they will represent for the entire 2024-25 academic year. Go to ussenateyouth.org/selection_process_qualify to learn more about full application requirements or visit the Idaho Department of Education’s dedicated application here: https://form.jotform.com/242006414734145.

Please direct any questions to Idaho’s USSYP representative Leslie Younger at lyounger@sde.idaho.gov. The deadline to apply for the program is Oct. 11.