Press Release: Student Opportunities through North Carolina's Seventh Congressional District

September 25, 2025
For Immediate Release
Contact: K ennedy Stowater, (202-225-2731)

Student Opportunities through North Carolina's Seventh Congressional District

With the new school year underway, Congressman David Rouzer (NC-07) is excited to offer a variety of opportunities for high school students who live or go to school in North Carolina’s Seventh Congressional District to get involved and build a foundation for future success. The programs listed below are available for the fall semester, with additional updates for spring and summer semesters coming soon.

Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurial Conference

Congressman David Rouzer will again host his annual Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurial Conference for high school juniors on Monday, October 6, 2025. The Conference provides two students from each high school in the Seventh Congressional District an opportunity to meet with community leaders, discuss ways to achieve entrepreneurial success, develop the necessary personal and professional skills to achieve goals, and how to thrive in leadership positions.

The Conference will feature presentations from The Jesse Helms Center, the University of North Carolina – Wilmington, and local employers as well as engaging activities focused on values-based leadership and the personal traits and qualities that lead to lasting success.

WHAT: Congressman David Rouzer's NC-07 Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurial Conference

WHO: Selected juniors from each high school in the 7th Congressional District

WHERE: Brunswick Energy and Education Center, 8520 River Road SE, Southport, NC

DATE: October 6, 2025

TIME: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Students who are interested in participating should reach out to Lisa Myers in Congressman Rouzer’s office via email. However, please keep in mind, each respective school is responsible for developing criteria to select the two students to nominate for the program.

Congressional App Challenge

The Congressional App Challenge is an annual competition aimed at encouraging middle and high school students to learn how to code by creating their own applications. The Challenge is intended to highlight the value of computer science and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education.

The House of Representatives knows how crucial these skills are, and Members of Congress want to encourage students to engage in these fields. By encouraging and recognizing our nation’s young programming talent, Congress hopes to shine a light on the growing importance of these skills.

This competition is open to all students who meet the eligibility requirements, regardless of coding experience. We strongly encourage students of all skill levels to participate, enabling them to learn how to create their own apps, program robotics, or develop wearable technology. You can register here.

The deadline to submit your application is 12:00 PM EST on October 30, 2025.

You can find more information on the Congressional App Challenge website.

Eligibility and Age Division

To be eligible to participate in the Congressional App Challenge, you must be a middle or high school student who resides in or attends school in the Seventh Congressional District at the time of app submission. Students may register as individuals or as teams of up to four. If competing in a team, at least half of the teammates must be eligible to compete in the Seventh Congressional District.

Military Academy Nominations

Our United States Service Academies provide the highest standard of undergraduate education and the training of commissioned officers for the United States Armed Forces upon graduation. Each year, Congressman Rouzer has the privilege of nominating students from our community to attend our nation's Service Academies.

Applying to an Academy is a two-pronged process. First, in order to be considered for admission to a Service Academy, applicants must apply for a nomination through a qualified nominating source. Second, students must apply to their preferred Service Academy/Academies and meet the minimum qualifications set forth by each particular academy.

The deadline for submitting applications for the Class of 2026 is October 31, 2025.

Only completed applications will be reviewed on a competitive basis, considering a multitude of factors in selecting the most qualified applicants to represent the Seventh Congressional District of North Carolina. All facets of a candidate’s file are carefully reviewed including:

Academic record
Athletic activities
Extracurricular activities
Leadership abilities
Official SAT/ACT scores

Eligibility

Eligible applicants for a nomination must meet the following requirements set forth by law as of July 1st of the year of admission to a service academy. He or she:

Must be 17 years of age, but not have passed their 23rd birthday;
Must be a U.S. citizen;
Must be unmarried, not pregnant, and have no legal obligation to support children or other dependents.

Applying for a Nomination to a U.S. Service Academy

Students interested in a Congressional nomination should fill out an online application far in advance of the deadline. Completed nomination applications, including all required documentation, must be submitted in their entirety to Congressman Rouzer’s office no later than October 31, 2025.

Applicants must manage their application with the Service Academies separately from their application for a nomination. Therefore, applicants should contact the academy directly to establish a pre-candidate file. It is important to distinguish these are two separate processes.

Students who receive a nomination should understand the decision for final selection of apointments rests solely with the appropriate academy officials based off their competitive evaluation of all nominees.

For more information, please review the Frequently Asked Questions for those seeking a Military Academy Nomination page on Congressman Rouzer’s website. If you have any questions about the nomination process, contact Congressman Rouzer’s staff via email.

Spring Internships

Internships provide an outstanding opportunity for students who are passionate about public service and interested in pursuing a career in politics or government. Congressman Rouzer's office offers internships in both Washington, D.C. and North Carolina’s Seventh Congressional District, allowing students to gain firsthand experience in the legislative process and constituent services.

Intern responsibilities vary depending on location, but typically include welcoming constituents, assisting with meetings, conducting Capitol tours, answering phone calls, supporting legislative research, drafting constituent correspondence, and maintaining front office operations. The ideal candidate is highly organized, capable of multitasking, and thrives in a collaborative environment.

Interns serving in the district office will gain valuable insight into how congressional representatives assist citizens with federal issues. They will be exposed to casework inquiries, policy discussions, and current events from Washington, D.C., helping them develop a deeper understanding of the role Congress plays in everyday lives.

The application process for Spring 2026 is now open. All applications must be received by November 1, 2025. Interested candidates should complete the internship application here.

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