Mission Peak | USSYP Application | Due on July 29 (day three)

Before you begin your application, please note:

Should you be selected as a finalist, two delegates from Mission Peak will compete with other delegates in a second set of interviews to choose two representatives from the State of Washington.

The trip to Washington, DC, offers an intense study of the American government and political systems. The project is designed to give participants an inside look at government and provide scholarship money to pursue the study of political science and government.

Dates for the trip to Washington, DC (March 6th - 13th, 2027). If you know you will NOT be available, please do not continue the application process.

The Selection Committee is made up of Mission Peak Senior Counselors. They will review your application form. Finalists will be notified for an interview, which will also be conducted by Senior Counselors.

Two finalists and two alternates will be selected from the interviewees. Names will be announced at closing of the final day of camp.

How to Qualify:
Qualified high school junior or seniors must show demonstrated leadership by serving in elected or appointed positions in which they are actively representing or previously represented a constituency in organizations related to student government, education, public affairs and community service. They must be actively serving in qualified leadership positions, enrolled in high school and living in the state (and for these purposes the District of Columbia) that they will represent for the entire 2026 – 2027 academic year. All student leadership positions are subject to the judgement and verification of the state selection administrators.

The DoDEA central administrative office will select the DoDEA delegates and alternates residing overseas. Military dependents who reside and attend schools in the U.S. shall apply for the program under the RESIDENCY ruling shown below.

Alternate delegates will be selected as replacements if a primary delegate is unable to participate in Washington Week. If the primary delegate is unable to attend, The Hearst Foundations must be notified in advance. Attendance during the entire Washington Week program is required to receive the financial scholarship; appropriate disposition of scholarship funds will be determined by the program director in the event a primary delegate is unable to attend the program due to emergency circumstances, or is dismissed.

Selection will be based on the student’s outstanding abilities and demonstrated qualities of leadership in an elected or appointed high school student office for the entire 2026-2027 school year. The primary purposes of the qualifying leadership position must be representation of a constituency and service to others. A student who graduates high school at the close of the Fall 2026 semester / quarter is not eligible to apply for the program, and students other than DoDEA delegates must be residing in one state of primary residence in the U.S. during the entire 2026-2027 academic year to participate.

Any high school junior or senior student is eligible for the program provided he or she has not previously been a delegate to Washington Week and has not received a USSYP scholarship.

RESIDENCY – Each student must be a legal permanent resident or citizen of the United States at the time of application. Students who are not United States Citizens must be in possession of their I-551 / “green card” at the time of application to be eligible to apply. Students must be enrolled for the entire academic year in a public or independent high school located in the state (and for these purposes the District of Columbia) in which at least one of their parents or guardians currently resides. Home-educated students must be approved by their state department of education to apply.
The student must hold a leadership positions for the current 2026-2027 academic year in any one of the following student government, civic or educational organizations during the entire 2026-2027 academic year. All student leadership positions are subject to the judgement and verification of the state selection administrators:
* Student Body president, vice president, secretary or treasurer
* Class president, vice president, secretary or treasurerStudent Council representative
* A National Honor Society officer (including discipline-based Honor Societies such as the National English and Social Studies Honor Societies that include service components)
* Student representative elected or appointed (appointed by a panel, commission or board) to a local, state, regional or national-level civic or educational organization approved by the state selection administrator, where the student holds a high-level, year-round leadership position representing a constituency and / or providing service to others.
Participation or holding an officer position in academic clubs and educational competition programs/conferences or organizations designed primarily for the student’s personal development and enrichment do not qualify a student for USSYP. However, many eligible students participate in these activities. The positions listed below DO NOT qualify the student for the program:

● Attendance or officer position at Boys/Girls Nation or State summer conference

● Member of the National Honor Society (serving as an elected officer for the organization for the entire school year is acceptable)

● Member or leader of the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, JROTC, or a sports team

● A founder or chairperson of a self-created group

● A participant, captain, or officer in Mock Trial, Debate Team, Model U.N. or other academic club, mock legislature, conference, or competition where the primary engagement is for the individual educational enrichment or benefit.

RESIDENCY – Each student must be a legal permanent resident or citizen of the United States at the time of application. Students who are not United States Citizens must be in possession of their I-551 / “green card” at the time of application to be eligible to apply. Students must be enrolled for the entire academic year in a public or independent high school located in the state (and for these purposes, the District of Columbia) in which at least one of their parents or guardians currently resides. Home-educated students must be approved by their state department of education to apply.

Exceptions to the residency requirement will only be made in the following cases:

● Students from DoDEA overseas will represent the state(s) of which the parents/guardians are U.S. legal voting residents. Students attending DoD schools in the U.S. or students enrolled through U.S. military bases in local schools will represent the state in which their school is located.

Please read the USSYP Brochure.

● Students may reside in a state other than the state in which they attend school if they are enrolled in the only designated public high school available to them in a school district that legally crosses contiguous state borders through legal interstate agreement. Students in these schools shall make application to the program through the state where the high school is located and shall represent that state if selected.

Name

First NameLast Name

Email

Cell Phone Number

Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.

School

District

Gender

Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Grade during the 2026 - 2027 school year

Principal Name

First NameLast Name

Principal Email

example@example.com

Home Adult (Parent/Guardian)

First NameLast Name

Home Adult (Parent/Guardian Email)

example@example.com

Are you a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or in possession of a green card at the time of this application?

When you learned of this opportunity, what motivated you to apply?

Please describe (in detail) the activities/positions/offices you hold. Also include the years in which you have been involved.

Please include community service events/experiences you have been involved in.

The mission of the United States Senate Youth Program is to provide a yearly opportunity for selected students to gain an in-depth view of the Senate and the federal government overall as well as a deeper understanding of the interrelationship of the legislature, judicial, and and executive branches. The program provides a foundation of knowledge and encouragement for those considering a future of public service on the local, state, or national level. How does this align with your personal and professional goals?

Please list your future educational and/or vocational goals and how this program will help you reach those goals?

Please describe your leadership and services experiences and philosophy set you apart from other candidates, qualifying you for this opportunity.

Please discuss an important social or political issue/topic you are passionate about, and please discuss a potential solution and/or resolution.

Share about yourself! Who do you represent? Consider and speak to the diversity of school in Washington (including, but not limited to): Community demographic, school size, school location, activities, ethnicity, disabilities, documentation status, sexual orientation, gender identity, academic focus, socio-economic standing, native language, etc.?