Each year, two Iowa students have the opportunity to spend a week in Washington, D.C. The William Randolph Hearst Foundation pays all expenses. In addition, the two Iowa high school representatives each receive a $5,000 scholarship, subject to scholarship conditions and requirements. The selection of the two Iowa high school representatives is based solely on the outstanding ability and demonstrated leadership qualities of elected junior or senior high school student officers for the 2009-10 school year.
Each high school may nominate one student. Click here for the Iowa Department of Education's letter to Iowa's superintendents and principals about the USSYP Program. Student application materials are attached here or may be downloaded from the DE's Web site at http://www.iowa.gov/educate/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=939&Itemid=1225.
The completed applications must be submitted to Kim Thuente at Heartland AEA 11 by September 25, 2009. Nominees selected from the applicants will be required to take a qualifying examination on October 7th at 1:30 p.m. in the Johnston AEA Computer Lab. The qualifying examination consists of a 45-minute multiple choice, matching and T/F test with questions about government and the U.S. Constitution. The top five scoring students will then complete a 45-minute essay exam.
The essays and application materials from the top five scoring students will be submitted to the DE by October 30th for selection of the two Iowa delegates and alternates.
If you have questions please contact Kimberly (Kim) Thuente at (515)
