UNIVERSITY OF US
The University of US is a volunteer educational program for high school students established to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of the U.S. Constitution.
The program features speakers on The Federalist Papers, Articles of the Constitution, Amendments to the Constitution, Supreme Court Justices and Landmark Cases, The U.S. Court System, and American Heritage and Founders. For more information, refer to the University of US Curriculum linked below.
The University of US program graduated an all-time high 80 students in 2026 bringing our total to 487 graduates since inception. Last year's students received scholarships and awards totaling $65,250. $35,000 was awarded to winners of the 2026 Scholarship Competition:
1st Place - The Stephen R. Braddock $10,000 Scholarship:
Mackenzie Roberts, Hilliard Middle-Senior High School
1st Runner Up - The Mr. and Mrs. Richard Armbrust $10,000 Scholarship:
Dominic Cortes, Fernandina Beach High School
The Honorable Robert M. Foster $5,000 Scholarship:
Adalai Kwiatkowski, Home Education
The Mr. and Mrs. Tom Henrichs $5,000 Scholarship:
Caitlin Terry, Fernandina Beach High School
The Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Schroeder $5,000 Scholarship:
Tristan Horton, Hilliard Middle-Senior High School
Each student who successfully completed the after-school program received a $100 cash award. 24 of those students successfully submitted qualifying essays in the Scholarship Contest and received an additional $100 cash award. 7 Student Ambassadors received cash awards of $250 each, and 2 Students, Jaiden Elmore, WNHS and Cooper Hayes, FBHS, were given $1,000 Leadership Scholarships.
Each class includes presentations by prominent local, state, and/or nationally-recognized lecturers, enhanced by interactive activities to engage students in the subject matter. The University of US is the gateway to students' participation in the USCSF Scholarship competition.
Application forms for the University of US, Class of 2027, are linked below. The application consists of two pages, the University of US Application and the Attendance Commitment. These are fillable forms. To use them, download and save, then type on saved files. The Attendance Commitment must be signed by both the student and the parent/guardian.
Applications are due by Sept. 4, 2026. The completed forms can be scanned (or photographed) and returned to us at universityofus2027@gmail.com (preferred) or mailed to the address on the application form.
Students and parents will be contacted by email by September 11 with confirmation of acceptance into the program and further information about the University of US classes.
Questions? Contact us at universityofus2027@gmail.com
University of US Holds 2025 Graduation & Scholarships Ceremony!
The University of US held its 9th Graduation at Yulee High School on April 28th, 2025. Sharyl Wood, Director of the University of US School Program, announced that the highest number of students (74) graduated in 2025. Sharyl also announced that the U.S. Constitution Scholarship Foundation issued $60,500 in scholarships and Awards. They increased the Essay Competition Scholarships to $35,000, with two students winning $10,000 and three students winning $5,000 awards. Judge Robert Foster congratulated the University of US Essay Competition winners, who were the following:
First Place - The Stephen R. Braddock $10,000 Scholarship:
Ethan Morris, Yulee High School
First Runner Up - The Mr. and Mrs. Richard Armbrust $10,000 Scholarship:
Amelia Burbo, Home Education
The Honorable Robert M. Foster $5,000 Scholarship:
Dominick Cortes, Fernandina Beach High School
The Mr. and Mrs. Tom Henrichs $5,000 Scholarship:
Brody Singley, West Nassau High School
The Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Schroeder $5,000 Scholarship:
Eliza Wilking, Fernandina Beach High School
Judge Foster also recognized the Two Leadership Scholarship Winners - Reagan Amos,Yulee, and Abigail Fiske, West Nassau. Superintendent Kathy Burns closed the event, discussing how proud she is of the program and how important it was for the students and the community.
University of US Holds Graduation & Scholarships Ceremony!
On May 1st, The University of US, established by the U.S. Constitution Scholarship Foundation (USCSF) held its 7th annual Graduation at Yulee High School for its University of US students.
University of US Director of Operations Sharyl Wood and USCSF Co-Founder Howard Pines opened the ceremonies congratulating the students while handing out $100 awards to the 53 graduates and 21 students who submitted qualified essays.
Judge Robert Foster, Head of the Essay Competition committee, shared his insights on the program and announced the 5 essay scholarship winners.
This year the number one winner, Eva Burbo, received a $10,000 scholarship. The other four winners, Baylee Cruce, Olivia Rodgers, Charlie Norstrem and Landon Plungis, each received $5,000 scholarships.
Class Schedule 2025-26
1. Our American Heritage and Founders of the Constitution
Lecturer: Judge Adrian Soud
September 22, 2025, 4:45pm
FSCJ Bean Center
2. The Federalist Papers
Lecturers: Howard Pines and Caleb Bryan
October 27, 2025, 4:45pm
FSCJ Bean Center
3. The Articles of the Constitution
Lecturer: Judge James Daniel
November 17, 2025, 4:45pm
FSCJ Bean Center
4. The Amendments to the Constitution
Lecturers: Secretary of State Cord Byrd and Judge Steven Fahlgren
January 26, 2026, 4:45pm
FSCJ Bean Center
5. Important Supreme Court Justices
Lecturer: Professor Bradford Clark
February 23, 2026, 4:45pm
FSCJ Bean Center
6. Notable Supreme Cases and the U.S. Judicial System
Lecturers: Judge Jenny Higginbotham and Attorney Chanda Rogers
March 23, 2025, 4:45pm
FSCJ Bean Center
Constitution Bowl:
TBD, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Wildlight Elementary
Graduation:
TBD, 5:30pm
Yulee High School
The University of US is a volunteer educational program for high school students established to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of the U.S. Constitution.
The program features speakers on The Federalist Papers, Articles of the Constitution, Amendments to the Constitution, Supreme Court Justices and Landmark Cases, The U.S. Court System, and American Heritage and Founders.
Each class includes presentations by prominent local, state, and/or nationally-recognized lecturers, enhanced by interactive activities to engage students in the subject matter. The University of US is the gateway to students' participation in the USCSF Scholarship competition.
University of US Graduation 2022
Watch the video replay of the ceremony
including awards to Scholarship winners
More About University of US
Watch the video below to hear from students and teachers.
VOLUNTEER FACULTY
UNIVERSITY OF US
Eligibility Requirements
Be a high school student
Must be a resident of Nassau County, FL, or attending a Nassau County, FL, high school with school district permission
Be available to attend all sessions of the program with no more than one absence
Submit a completed application and the ATTENDANCE COMMITMENT and PROGRAM AGREEMENTS
Note: For information purposes, to be eligible to apply for a USCSF Scholarship, a student must meet these additional criteria:
Be in the 11th or 12th grade
Carry an unweighted GPA of 3.00 or higher
Complete the University of US program with a passing score on the final exam and no more than one absence
Write a qualifying essay on the assigned topic
Questions? Contact us at universityofus2023@gmail.com
