Students

Young people who are genuinely interested in pursuing a career in the military service and who are looking to build a career foundation at one of our esteemed service academies are encouraged to open a file in our district office by sending a letter of interest. Find more information about military academy nominations here. 

An internship in my office provides a great opportunity for students to learn first-hand how our government works. Interns gain valuable knowledge and experience a hands-on opportunity to learn about the legislative process, as well as the operations of a Congressional office. 

To apply: Please send a resume and cover letter to wa09internships@mail.house.gov. In the subject line of your email, please indicate the session and office(s) you are interested in. Sample subject lines: “DC Spring 2026”, “DO Spring 2026”, or “DC/DO Spring 2026” (for candidates interested in both offices). Within the body of the email, please include your expected start and end dates and hours of availability. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Each year, the U.S. House of Representatives hosts the Congressional App Challenge. This is an annual coding competition designed to encourage middle school and high school student participation in computer science and coding, regardless of experience. It is an opportunity for students to compete against other peers within their district by creating an original application in a variety of programming languages and on different platforms. Find more information about the Congressional App Challenge here. 

Every year, Members of Congress sponsor a nation-wide arts competition for high school students. The Congressional Art Competition is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our congressional district. Learn more about the 2026 Congressional Art Competition here. 

WA-09's Youth Advisory Council gives community-minded and civically engaged students an opportunity to delve into and discuss the issues most important to them and to our community with the congressman and his staff. Students serving on the Youth Advisory Council will learn about legislation coming before the U.S. House of Representatives and share their insight with Rep. Smith. All current high school and college students living in Washington’s Ninth District are eligible to serve on the Youth Advisory Council. Find more information and to apply, click here. 

Information is available to students looking to learn more about the process of locating and applying for financial aid.