"A Mile in My Shoes" essay contest for young men! Submissions due April 16, 2011!

“A Mile in My Shoes” Essay Guidelines for 6th – 12th Graders

Young African-American males are often written about and talked about in the mainstream media but seldom are they given the opportunity to write and share their own stories. The “A Mile in My Shoes” Writing Project was designed to give a voice to young African-American males, to allow them to define themselves, their world, their hopes and their dreams.

African-American male 6^th-12^th grade students are strongly encouraged to write and submit essays that are based on their life experiences, their future aspirations and their impressions of the world in which they currently live or may have to live in the future.

Essays/stories can be serious or humorous or both, but ALL essays should address one or more of the following categories or topics:

• Masculinity;
• Relationships with the Opposite Sex;
• Painful/Difficult Experiences;
• Interaction with Authority Figures;
• My Community;
• Impact of Friends and Family;
• Spirituality; or
• The Future

 There are two competition levels eligible for this writing project: students in grades 6 – 8 (Jr. High Division) and students in grades 9 – 12 (High School Division). Each essay/non-fiction story must be original and unpublished. While handwritten submissions will be accepted, students are encouraged to type their submissions. Twelve-point Times New Roman font is preferred.

Entries must be at least 350 words and not more than 1,000 words. A student may submit up to three essays on different topics but no student will be eligible to win more than one prize. Each essay should begin with a title and EACH essay must be submitted with a fully completed official Entry Form, even if several essays are submitted by the same student. The student's name cannot appear on the essay itself, only on the Entry Form. Please staple the pages of your essay together and paper clip the Entry Form to your essay.

The first place winner in each division will receive $175 and the second place winner in each division will receive $75.

Mail two copies of your essay along with the Entry Form to:

A Mile in My Shoes Writing Project

c/o Cleo Scott Brown, Contest Chair

P.O. Box 415

Goose Creek, SC 29445

E-mail submissions will not be accepted.

Entries must be postmarked on or before April 16, 2011. Entries postmarked after April 16^th will not be considered. If you wish acknowledgement of receipt of your essay, please include a stamped, self-addressed postcard with your submission. 

A panel of judges will select winners by May 16^th and the winners will be notified via the method indicated on the application. Winners’ names, along with their school, city, and state will also be posted online at www.cleoscottbrown.com.

Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Program for 7th Graders!

 The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation's Young Scholars Program is designed to nurture exceptional students who have demonstrated, through academic excellence and extracurricular activities, that they have the potential to excel. Students apply for the program in the 7^th grade, enter the program in the 8^th grade and continue the program through high school.

The Young Scholars Program provides the most personalized, generous scholarship experience in the nation. The Foundation works closely with Scholars and their families to construct a tailored educational program that includes, but is not limited to, support for summer programs, distance learning courses, and music and art instruction. While some Young Scholars attend a private school if none of their public school options adequately serve their academic potential, many stay in their public schools.

Each year, more than 1,000 high-achieving 7^th graders nationwide apply for the Young Scholars Program and approximately 50 students are selected each year. All Young Scholars have demonstrated excellence in academic endeavors and extracurricular activities, a strong will to succeed and financial need. For Young Scholars entering the program, the average family income is approximately $25,000, and over more than 90% have incomes under $60,000.

After high school, Young Scholars are also eligible to apply for continued undergraduate and graduate support from the Foundation – ten or more years of assistance total for educational pursuits. Previous Young Scholars have attended some of the nation’s most selective colleges and universities, including the University of California, Berkeley; Williams College; and Yale University.

Families can apply for the Young Scholars Program online. 

Complete applications are due April 25, 2011.

Internships available for students interested in Science or Engineering!

The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division is the Navy’s center of excellence for ships and ship systems. For over 100 years, Carderock has helped preserve and enhance the nation’s presence on and under the seas. Carderock is the full-spectrum research and development, test and evaluation, engineering and Fleet support organization for the Navy’s ships, submarine, military watercraft, and unmanned vehicles with insight into new concepts and technologies for the Navy Fleet of the 21^st century.

Carderock is looking for highly motivated high school students who are interested in receiving hands-on experience in the fields of Engineering, Science and Computers in a research and development and test and evaluation environment.

Selected students will be placed in a wide variety of scientific and engineering fields with mentors who are scientists, engineers and technicians.  Mentors will work with students during the summer to give them a first-hand understanding of their profession and will encourage students to pursue careers in Science and Engineering. The Carderock summer program will expose students to scientific and engineering practice and personnel as well as DOD (Department of Defense) research and engineering activities and goals that will encourage a positive image and supportive attitude toward our defense community.

In order to be eligible, students must:

• Be enrolled in high school or admission to college in the fall (if they are a senior);
• Be United States citizens;
• Be 16 years of age.

To apply, please download the Official Application for Federal Employment. After completing the application, mail the application and your resume to:

Naval Surface Warfare Center

Carderock Division, Bldg. 4, Code 3210

Philadelphia Business Center

5001 S. Broad Street

Philadelphia, PA 19112

Completed applications and resumes can also be emailed to: recruitment@navy.mil.

Applications received prior to April 15, 2011 will receive first consideration. Resumes received after that date will be reviewed on an as needed basis.

$1,000 Scholarships available for SEED students!

$1,000 scholarships are available for SEED students to attend the Center for Social Leadership’s (CSL) GALLUP Young Leaders Program.

YLP is a 40 hour program where high school and middle school students will learn Five Critical Skill Areas that will prepare them to get into college, will help them find not just a job or a career but a calling they will love and will improve their relationships at home and in school. The program is designed for students who are interested in changing their society and their lives.

The program will meet for 5 days at the GALLUP Corporation at 901 F Street, NW starting on Thursday, June 23 and finishing on Wednesday, June 29 (program dates are June 23, 24, 27, 28 and 29). Sessions will begin each day at 9am and will end by 6pm. The deadline to apply for the scholarship has been extended to Friday, April 15. Please contact Mr. Cotton for an application.

Opportunity to learn about art and earn $250! Applications due this Friday, April 8!

Do you have an interest in art and art history? Want to earn $250? Then you should sign-up for the  

High School Summer Institute today!

During the High School Summer Institute, you will have an opportunity to:

• Explore the National Gallery of Art from the inside out;
• Connect with a variety of museum professionals;
• Create your own work of art for a local exhibition;
• Learn from and work with other teens from DC schools;
• Earn 20 hours of community service or service learning credits; and
• Receive a $250 stipend

 The Summer Institute will take place Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm beginning on June 20 and ending on July 1.

To be eligible, you must be:

• Interested in studio art or art history; 
• Entering grades 10, 11, 12 or be a 2011 graduate of a DC high school; and 
• Able to attend all sessions of the program.

To apply, print out and complete the three-part application form.

Completed applications should be mailed to:

High School Summer Institute
Department of Teacher, School, and Family Programs
Division of Education
National Gallery of Art
2000B South Club Drive
Landover, MD 20785

Applications must be postmarked by April 8, 2011.

Interviews will take place on April 30 and May 1 for select candidates.

If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Diallo, Museum Educator for Family and Teen programs at (202) 842-6252.