Youth Opportunities

The transition from summer to fall is a busy time in the Cornhusker State. As farmers prepare for harvest and the new football and volleyball seasons arrive, parents and students are gearing up to go back to school and teachers are working hard for the start of a new semester. Young people across the Third District anticipate new opportunities as they take new steps in their educational journey.

I recognize the vital importance of supporting the next generation of community leaders. Because of this, I consistently advocate for federal policy which increases educational opportunity, and through my offices, I offer several services connecting young leaders with unique experiences.

To give parents greater choice in the education of their children and promote support for families who need assistance, I championed inclusion of my bill, the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA) in the tax package we passed and President Trump signed into law last month.

Back-to-school costs can present a serious challenge for many household budgets, and ECCA scholarships can be applied to a variety of needs, including school supplies, services, equipment, and tuition. These scholarships will benefit students in any educational setting, public, private, or homeschool, including in rural school districts which may have limited resources.

To engage on issues facing our country, I invite high school students who have completed at least their freshman year to apply for my Youth Advisory Council, a forum where young Nebraskans can discuss their questions, aspirations, and concerns directly with me. Applicants must submit an application prior to August 31, 2025 and be able to serve through May 2026. For more information, and to download the application, please visit AdrianSmith.House.Gov/Services/Youth-Advisory-Council.

One of the greatest privileges of my position is the opportunity to provide nominations to the United States Service Academies. Many Third District Nebraskans have earned admission to our Service Academies and served our nation’s military with distinction. In order to be considered for nomination, students are required to provide academic records, letters of recommendation, and other relevant information, and must meet with my Service Academy advisory committee. For more information about the Service Academy nominating process, please contact my Grand Island Office at (308) 384-3900.

Young leaders who seek firsthand experience in public service can apply for internships with my offices in Washington, Nebraska City, Grand Island, or Scottsbluff. Interns help me and my team serve Third District constituents by providing tours of the U.S. Capitol, attending congressional hearings and briefings, preparing legislative recommendations, and assisting my staff with constituent correspondence, casework, and legislative research.

This summer, I was grateful for the work of the following interns: Samantha Bonifas of Roseland, NE, Corbin Rhoades of Roca, NE, Isaac Herman of Clarks, NE, Arielle Lawrence of Marsland, NE, CJ Trapeur of Glendale, AZ, and Connie Gassaway of Sterling, CO. The inside view of the legislative process and all the ways my offices serve Nebraskans make a congressional internship a highly valuable experience for college students and recent graduates. Those interested should visit my website at AdrianSmith.House.Gov/Services/Internships.

Students and families can also take advantage of services my office provides, including attending the Nebraska Breakfast, tour reservations for the Capitol, White House, and other Washington, DC sites, and the annual Congressional Art Competition. Information about these opportunities is available from my website as well.

I am so often encouraged by the willingness to engage and serve I see in young leaders from the Third District, and I am working to foster their thoughtful contributions to our state and country.