COCHRAN & WICKER NOTE OPENING
OF NOMINATION PROCESS FOR U.S. SENATE YOUTH PROGRAM

Two Mississippi Students to be Chosen for Washington Program and $5,000 Scholarships

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker today announced the opening of the nominating process for Mississippi high school students interested in taking part in the U.S. Senate Youth Program (USSYP) next spring.

Two Mississippi high school students involved in student government at public or private schools will be selected to take part in the annual USSYP, a program established by the Senate in 1962 to expose select student leaders to the federal government and the U.S. Senate.  The program is open to junior or senior students.

“The U.S. Senate Youth Program is a wonderful program that gives young leaders an excellent opportunity to expand their educations through interaction with national policy makers.  I hope there is wide interest among high school students in Mississippi for this opportunity,” said Cochran, who with Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) is the co-chairman of the 2010 USSYP Advisory Committee.

“This program offers high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to get an up-close look at the U.S. Senate and other key parts of the federal government,” Wicker said.  “I encourage all interested students to learn more about this unique learning experience.”

The Mississippi delegates will receive a trip to Washington, March 6-13, 2010, where they will join delegates from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity.  The week-long USSYP program includes meetings with government officials, including the President, a Supreme Court Justice, U.S. Senators, cabinet secretaries and other policy makers.  Each recipient will also receive a $5,000 undergraduate scholarship from the Hearst Foundation which sponsors the USSYP.

The nomination deadline for Mississippi delegates is October 2.  Interested students may visit www.ussenateyouth.org to access a 2010 USSYP brochure outlining the rules and selection process information.

Mississippi’s state-level USSYP selection administrator is:

Dr. Tony Webster
Director, Scholastic Development Office
Mississippi Department of Education
359 North West Street, Suite 101
Jackson, Mississippi  39201
(601) 359-4305
twebster@mde.k12.ms.us
www.mde.k12.ms.us