The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP), established in 1962 by U.S. Senate Resolution, is a unique educational experience for outstanding high school students.
The 62nd annual United States Senate Youth Program Washington Week was held March 2-9, 2024. The program was a comprehensive public service, leadership and education experience including speakers from the three branches of government and the national media, and each delegate received a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship in the name of the United States Senate. Read the most recent press release here.
![Senator Susan Collins with delegates Ryan Hafener and Claire Ouellette](/doe/sites/maine.gov.doe/files/inline-images/2024-Maine-Senator-Collins-with-Ryan-Hafener-and-Claire-Ouellette_0.jpg)
Senator Susan Collins with delegates Ryan Hafener and Claire Ouellette
![Senator Angus King with delegates Claire Ouellette and Ryan Hafener](/doe/sites/maine.gov.doe/files/inline-images/2024-Maine-Senator-King-with-Claire-Ouellette-and-Ryan-Hafener.jpg)
Senator Angus King with delegates Claire Ouellette and Ryan Hafener
Maine delegates are nominated by their principal and must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Students are permanent residents of the U.S., and one of their parents or guardians is a legal resident of Maine.
- Students are juniors or seniors living in Maine and attending a Maine high school through graduation in 2024.
- Students must be interested in and participating in leadership, public service and government related activities.
- Students must be able to attend the entire 2024 Washington Week, March 2-9, 2024.
- Students must be approved by high school principal (or designated representative) as the only nominee from school that the student is attending.
- Students must have been elected or appointed to a qualifying leadership post for the current school year. Qualifying leadership posts include, but are note limited to:
- Member or officer of student council, student senate or equivalent student government organization
- Class officer – president, vice president, secretary or treasurer
- Student representative on a district-, regional- or state-level civic and/or educational organization
Application Process for the 2023-24 School Year
- Early September: Information and instructions communicated to Maine educators and administrators. Each high school building principal may nominate only one eligible student for consideration.
- October 13 (11:59pm): Deadline for completed applications to be sent via email to:
- Beth Lambert, Maine USSYP Coordinator - beth.lambert@maine.gov
- Any applications received on October 14 or later, will not be considered.
- Any incomplete applications will not be considered and the applicant will not be contacted.
- No later than October 27: Up to 10 finalists will be notified of advancement to the final round.
- Early November: The finalists will convene for a final competition with the selection committee hosted by the Margaret Chase Smith Library.
- December 1: Deadline for Hearst Foundation to be notified of Maine's two delegates and two alternates.
- January: The two finalists and two alternates will be notified and announced.
Application information:
2024 U.S. Senate Youth Program Brochure
2023 U.S. Senate Youth Program Digital Yearbook
2023-24 Application Materials
Congratulations to the 2023 winners:
- Natalie Emmerson - Morse High School - read her winning essay here
- Shawn Jiminez - Gardiner Area High School
Congratulations to previous winners listed below! You can also read about the past experiences of Maine’s USSYP delegates in their own words:
2022 - Eleanore Allan-Rahill
2022 - Fallon Eggett
2021 - Iann Leigh
2021 - Hilton Scott Peterson
2020 - Elena Clothier
2020 - Michael Delorge
2019 - Joseph Bergeon
2019 - Jay Philbrick
2018 - Caroline Baldacci
2018 - Virginia Hugo-Vidal