U.S. Senate Youth Program – California (USSYP)
Elite national program sending two California high school student leaders to a week in Washington, D.C. to meet federal officials; each delegate receives a 10,000 USD undergraduate scholarship.
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San Francisco Youth Commission (SFYC)
Official SF city commission that advises the Mayor and Board of Supervisors on policies affecting youth; commissioners draft recommendations, hold hearings, and work with city departments.
Columbia Undergraduate Law Review – High School Essay Contest
Essay contest on law and public policy topics run by Columbia's undergraduate law review. Often intersects with constitutional law, civil rights, and governance.
National Political Science Bee (IAC – U.S. Division)
Individual buzzer-based quiz competition on U.S. and world politics, political theory, political economy, and current events. Students first sit for a National Qualifying Exam; top scorers advance to the National Championships held alongside other IAC events and participate in discussion dinners with practitioners.
Alliance for Climate Education (ACE) Action Fellowship
Year-long climate advocacy training fellowship, run by Action for the Climate Emergency (formerly Alliance for Climate Education), for students ages 14-18 to build organizing and leadership skills and run carbon-cutting campaigns at their schools.
Amnesty International USA High School Student Group
Students start or join an official Amnesty International USA youth group at their high school to research human rights issues and take collective action through campaigns, petitions, letter-writing, and educational events.
California Youth Climate Policy Leadership Program (CYCP)
Sierra Club, Ten Strands, and UndauntedK12 program for California 9th-12th graders combining a summer retreat and monthly workshops with a mentored campaign to pass climate policy at their own school or district, plus a $500 stipend.