Background: The annual Asian Pacific Youth Leadership Project (APYLP) conference provides a select group of 60 Asian and Pacific Islander seniors and juniors from public, private and charter high schools throughout California with a unique opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of the legislative process, community leadership, and political activism. During the four-day, three-night conference, students will participate in a Virtual Mock Legislature that includes the election of peer legislative leaders, lively debate of current issues through the introduction of legislation, and the lobbying of bills during virtual committee hearings and the Virtual Senate floor session. Additionally, small group workshops facilitated by Asian Pacific legislative staff, community activists, and business leaders will assist students in developing their leadership and public speaking skills, enhance their cultural awareness and identity, and explore the richness and diversity of Asian and Pacific Islander communities in California.

Who Should Apply: The conference is only open to students that reside in California. Although any California junior or senior year high school student may apply, APYLP strongly encourages applications from Asian and Pacific Islander youth who have some leadership experience and especially from students who show leadership potential, but whose participation in programs such as APYLP may have been hindered in the past by economic, geographic, language, or other factors. The conference program is designed specifically for Asian and Pacific Islander youth to learn more about themselves, issues of importance to their communities, and how to empower their leadership potential through the political process, public service and community service. Participants in past conferences have been representative of the rich cultural, racial, multiracial, linguistic, and socio-economic diversity of Asian and Pacific Islander communities from urban, suburban and rural areas throughout California.

Transportation, Room & Board: There is no cost to students accepted to the high school leadership conference. Through its fundraising efforts and generous sponsorships, APYLP pays all costs for travel, lodging, meals, and conference materials for all students selected to participate in the conference. The high school program is a supervised activity with volunteer advisors assigned to each student throughout the program.

Instructions for Applicants: The simple four-page application is available in both online and printable formats. Printable applications can be downloaded at our website and once completed, must be returned by U.S. mail only. Online applications can be accessed at our website and must be submitted online.

All information and fields on the application must be completed. Applicants should write thoughtful and informative responses to each question. The Selection & Outreach Committee will carefully review all applications to select the 60 students and a few alternates who will be invited to participate in the 2026 high school conference in Sacramento.
 

Thank you for applying to the 2026 APYLP Conference. Applicants are being notified on a rolling basis and will receive an email update to their application status by 1/30/2026. If you have not received an email, by 1/30, please check your spam folder. If you still have not received an email, please contact the conference coordinator @ kevin.hefner@apylp.net