United States Senate Youth Program

The U.S. Senate Youth Program is merit-based and highly competitive

Qualified junior or senior high school students who applied for this opportunity showed demonstrated leadership through public service in elected positions during the entire 2024 – 2025 school year where they actively represented a constituency in organizations that relate to government, public affairs, history and/or community service. The students must actively serve in qualified leadership positions and are enrolled in high school.

Two student delegates and a first and second alternate will be selected. The two winning delegates will represent DoDEA and the U.S. Senators for where their parent is registered to vote in an intensive educational program during the 63rd annual United States Senate Youth Program Washington Week.

Each of the two winning delegates will be awarded $10,000 undergraduate college Scholarship with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science. Winners MUST attend the entire 2025 Washington Week, to receive the scholarship.

IMPORTANT: DoDEA students living in the Pacific, Europe, Puerto Rico, Guam, and Cuba apply through DoDEA Headquarters. DoDEA students in the Americas apply for the US Senate Youth Program through the state education agency and compete with other state applicants within their state.

SY 2025-2026 Application Deadline

The Application Window for eligible DoDEA students is August 28th – October 24th, 2025. On or after August 28th, students interested in applying will request membership in the Schoology course by contacting Ms. Pat Schob to be enrolled.

SY 2024 – 2025 USSYP Students

Alliyah Regala

2025

EJ King MHS

Alliyah Regala, born in the Philippines and raised all over the world, is a senior at EJ King Middle High School. She currently serves as the Student Council President, National Honor Society Secretary, NJROTC Administrative Officer, in addition to numerous other leadership roles. Alliyah is known for her effervescent, bubbly, and outgoing personality alongside her dedication to mentoring her cadets outside of school and hearing out every single student’s voice, ensuring an inclusive learning environment for all. Attending USSYP will help her prepare for her dream of majoring in Political Science and serving as a Foreign Affairs Officer in the military.

Emily Wheeler

2025

Stuttgart HS

Emily Wheeler, a U.S. resident of Colorado, is a junior at Stuttgart High School, Germany, and serves as president of Tri-M Music Honor Society. She is editor of the student newspaper, secretary of the debate club, Model U.N. delegate, and member of the National English Honor Society. She participated in the Colorado Governor’s School, a residential leadership program, earning college credit by completing various community problem-solving projects. Emily is excited to be a DoDEA delegate to the Senate Program and hopes to learn more about her country, its government, and the role journalism plays in a healthy democracy.

DoDEA Students Selected for 2025 United States Senate Youth Program

The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) has announced that high school students Ms. Emily Wheeler and Ms. Alliyah Regala will represent DoDEA during the 63rd annual USSYP Washington Week, to be held March 1 – 8, 2025.

DoDEA Students Selected for United States Senate Youth Program

The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) has announced that high school students Mr. Baden Francis and Mr. Robert Rasmussen will represent the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) during the 62nd annual USSYP Washington Week, to be held March 2 - 9, 2024.

DoDEA Students Selected For U.S. Senate Youth Program

The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) has announced that high school students Ms. Olivia Kearley and Mr. Kyung Joon Flanery will represent the Department of Defense Education Activity during the 61st annual USSYP Washington Week.

U.S. Senate Youth Program Awardees

SY 2023 – 2024 USSYP Students

SY 2022 – 2023 USSYP Students

State Sites for Students in the Americas

Alabama
Contact: Carolyn Jones
Alabama Department of Education
Email: cajones@alsde.edu
Georgia
Contacts: Dawn Ashmore, Ed.S., Arlecia Brooks
U.S. Senate Youth Program - Georgia Department of Education
Email: Recognitions@doe.k12.ga.us
Kentucky
U.S. Senate Youth Program - Kentucky Department of Education
Contact: Ms. GlyptusAnn Jones
Email: glyptusann.jones@education.ky.gov
New York
U.S. Senate Youth Program - New York Education Department
Contact: Ms. Lisa Pingelski
Email: NYSenateYouth@nysed.gov
North Carolina
U.S. Senate Youth Scholarship Program - North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
Contact: Ms. Michelle McLaughlin
Email: michelle.mclaughlin@dpi.nc.gov
South Carolina
U.S. Senate Youth Scholarship Program - South Carolina Department of Education
Contact: Mr. Stephen Corsini
Email: spcorsini@ed.sc.gov
Tennessee
Student Opportunities - Tennessee Department of Education
Contact: Mr. Banks Lyons
Email: Banks.Lyons@tn.gov
Virginia
U.S. Senate Youth Scholarship Program - Virginia Department of Education
Contact: Ms. Christonya Brown
Email: Christonya.Brown@doe.Virginia.gov

Resources

USSYP Website
The United States Senate Youth Program, established in 1962 by U.S. Senate Resolution, is a unique educational experience for outstanding high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service.

Contact Information

DoDEA Social Studies Instructional Systems Specialist
4800 Mark Center Drive
Alexandria VA 22350-1400
Email: dodea.social-studies@dodea.edu

United States Senate Youth Program