Dear Neighbor,

As part of the America 250 celebrations for the semiquincentennial anniversary of our country’s founding, I have the opportunity to take ONE student with me to Philadelphia for a special session of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. This once-in-a-lifetime event will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, at Congress Hall.

I’m inviting all students who will be in the 11th or 12th grade this fall to participate in a special writing competition in which they have a chance to express their love of country.

Please submit all information requested in an email to RepIzzy@pahouse.net with the subject line "Semiquincentennial Special Session - Student Application" by Sunday, June 7.

Read on to learn more!

Program Highlights:

Students will participate in a full-day civic learning experience in Philadelphia, including:

Educational programming focused on Pennsylvania government and history

Opportunities to engage with public officials and civic leaders

Participation in activities connected to the semiquincentennial commemoration

Requirements:

The student must:

Be currently in 10^th or 11^th grade and should be in 11^th or 12^th grade this fall at the time of the Special Session.

Have a parent or guardian willing to accompany them to/from the Special Session.

Other Information:

America250PA will provide support to help offset the cost of student participation. This includes a travel stipend, meals, and, for students traveling longer distances, overnight accommodation.

A travel stipend will be issued to the student’s parent or guardian after September 9. It may be used to offset travel or other related expenses.

Lunch, dinner, and a dessert reception will be provided for students on September 9.

For students traveling more than 50 miles, one night of hotel accommodation (September 9) will be arranged.

Stipend amounts are based on distance from Philadelphia:

Within 25 miles — $0

26–50 miles — $75

51–100 miles — $100

101–175 miles — $125

176–225 miles — $150

226+ miles — $200

All selected students must be accompanied to Philadelphia by a parent or guardian, who will be required to sign the student in at check-in and out at the conclusion of the program. This requirement applies to all participants, including students who are 18 years old. Parents and guardians will not participate in scheduled programming and are encouraged to explore Historic Philadelphia during the day.

Application questions:

Candidates will be selected on the strength of their responses to all questions below.

Student Information:

Student Name:

Student Email:

Student Phone:

Student School:

Student Current Grade (must be 10th or 11th):

Student Grade in September (must be 11th or 12th):

Student Civics Details:

How have you demonstrated civic interest or engagement prior to this application?

Why do you want to join Rep. Smith-Wade-El for the Special Session in Philadelphia?

What does being a citizen mean to you?

What does America at 250 years mean to you?

Please attach one of the following as a writing sample:

A previously written essay on topics related to history, civics, government, etc.
A proposal for new legislation/policy that you think should be implemented in Pennsylvania

Description of work completed out of school in service to a civic cause

A reflection on America at 250 years

Reference Information (must be an educator from your school):

Reference Name:

Reference Email:

How long and in what context have the student and educator known one another?

Please email RepIzzy@pahouse.net or call my office at 717-283-4218 with any questions.