Announcing the 2011-12 William Randolph Hearst Foundation United States Senate Youth Program

Each year the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, in cooperation with the United States Senate and the education departments of all the states, sponsors the United States Senate Youth Program. Two student leaders from each state and the District of Columbia are selected to participate in a week-long government leadership program, in Washington, DC (all expenses paid).  The students engage in a series of seminars and briefings with Senators and members of the House of Representatives and meet with officials of the executive and judicial branches of government. Each student delegate will also receive a one-time $5,000 college scholarship provided that two full courses in United States, government, history, and/or political science are taken by the student at an accredited institution during the student’s future college or university career.

The Washington, DC segment of the program will take place from March 3-10, 2012.

The principal of a New York State high school may select only one candidate for this statewide competition. Any high school junior or senior is eligible. Districts with more than one high school can nominate a candidate from each high school. The nominee must currently (2011– 2012) be serving in an elected capacity in any one of the following student government offices:

• Student body president, vice-president, secretary or treasurer
• Class president, vice-president, secretary or treasure
• Student council representative

A student who is a representative to a district, regional or state-level civic or education organization may also be nominated.

Students must submit:

• A signed application form ( 55 KB) ( 20 KB)
• Student transcript/standardized test data
• A 600-800 word student essay on a significant issue or problem before the United States Congress. The student must (1) identify and describe the issue or problem; (2) state major points of view on the matter expressed by members of the Congress and others; and (3) take a position on the issue or problem. The position should be supported by specific evidence and reasoning. References must be cited. Students applying for a second time may not use an essay submitted previously
• A student statement of leadership activities on a separate sheet of paper that describe activities and interests which demonstrate the student’s leadership qualities and activities at school and/or in the community. Activities that demonstrate the student’s interest in the political process of governance should be emphasized.
• A letter of recommendation from the high school principal and/or designee
• The student application form must be postmarked on or before Friday, October 7, 2011

Special Notes:

• If any of the above is missing from the final application packet, the application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.
• If a school district has more than one high school, each high school may submit a nomination to the United States Senate Youth Program. 
• If a high school submits more than one nomination, neither nomination will be considered.
• Applications must have adequate postage.
• In the event that an applicant becomes a semifinalist, the student must be able to come to Albany for a personal interview on Monday, November 7, 2011. Partial reimbursement for travel expenses may be available.

• October 7, 2011 - Student Application Forms and Essays due;
• November 7, 2011 - Student Interviews in Albany, NY;
• 50th Annual United States Senate Youth Program that will take place in Washington, DC, March 3-10, 2012.

Lawrence M. Paska, Ph.D.
New York State Education Department
United States Senate Youth Program
89 Washington Avenue
Room 320 EB
Albany, New York 12234

New York State’s United States Senate Youth 2012 Delegates:

The following students are the NYS Delegates to participate in the 2012 United States Senate Youth Program. 

Jamie Rosen is a junior who attends Bethlehem Central High School where she serves as Student Senate Treasurer. In addition, Jamie is the girls varsity tennis team co-captain and is in the Cornell Cooperative Extension Government Intern Program. She also attended the New York State League of Women Voters’ Students’ Inside Albany Program in April of 2011. She is the executive vice president of her Temple's youth group and works hard for social justice. She is passionate about government and hopes to pursue a career in public service after graduating from college. 

Paarth Shah who is a senior, attends Horseheads High School and serves as senior class president, his fourth year in this position. Ranked first in his class, Paarth participates in science club, band, debate team, mock trial, and has been a STAC tennis all-star three years in a row. A National Merit Commended scholar, he’s the head judge for the town’s Youth Court and treasurer of a Rotary Club service organization. Paarth has earned two prestigious community service awards and won two oratory contests. His future plans include studying economics and political science in college and pursuing a career in public service. 

The two alternates chosen are Benjamin Helfand, a senior at New Rochelle High School and Jonathan Goldstein, a junior, at the Birch Wathen Lenox School in Manhattan.  Posting for next year's program will be in August 2012, and information about this program is always available at http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/socst/senateyouth.html.