Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology junior Michael Smith was recently chosen as the Rockdale District Representative to compete for two Georgia high school student slots for the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP).
His application was chosen from the pool of RCPS high school applicants by the RCPS Office of School Improvement and Teaching and Learning based on a program rubric. Smith will sit for the USSYP exam this week. The two students from each state will be selected from district nominees by the chief state school officer on the basis of their application and test scores. An interview committee will make the final selection.
Two elected high school student body officers from each state will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. The internship program will take place March 9 – 16, 2013, and plans are being made for the winners to have sessions with many of the important legislative and government leaders in Washington. Students will also visit Washington's historical landmarks. The students who go to Washington will also have available to them a $5000 scholarship from the Hearst Foundation for each delegate designated for the specified student’s educational expenses within a four-year period. Funds may be expended for tuition, enrollment and other fees and charges, or room and board provided or approved by the school. To obtain scholarship funds, a student must, within two years after high school graduation, enroll at an accredited U.S. college or university, pledging to include courses in government or related subjects to his or her undergraduate program.
The United States Senate Youth Program was created and sanctioned by the Senate to help outstanding high school students broaden their knowledge and understanding of Congress and the legislative process in our nation's capital; to demonstrate the importance of a freely elected legislature in the perpetuation of an effective democratic system of government; and to dramatize in particular the crucial role the Senate performs in the maintenance of our government.
