Operation Understanding DC - Dominique Perkins

This summer, I followed the path of the Freedom Riders with a program called Operation Understanding DC (OUDC). OUDC is a group comprised of 22 African-Americans and Jews who explore their cultures and learn to promote respect while also working to eradicate racism, Anti-Semitism, and other forms of discrimination. 

Our journey began in New York and we traveled to North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. It was a very educational journey. While traveling, I met a lot of historical figures from the Civil Rights Movement, including Franklin McCain, who was one of the Greensboro Four. I also met mayors and governors of different cities and one of them told us that he was brought up as a segregationist until he realized that segregation was an unfair system. It was cool to meet a lot of these individuals.

Going on this journey has taught me a lot, not only about the civil rights movement, but about life in general. I learned that while everyone wants to make a lot of money, making a change in the world is the most important thing. Every generation should improve for the better so that one day, everyone can been seen as equals and discrimination would only be seen as a myth. I also learned that if I see something wrong, I should speak up about it or work towards to fixing it. The journey was very powerful and I definitely learned a lot about myself. If I could do it all over again, I would. It was great!

American College of Surgeons sponsors a High School Mentoring Program!

Each year, the American College of Surgeons sponsors “A Day with the American College of Surgeons: High School Mentoring Program” during their annual Clinical Congress. The College is concerned about the under-representation of African-American and Hispanic physicians in the surgical professions, as only 5% and 4%, respectively, come from these populations.

A Day with the American College of Surgeons was developed to introduce talented African-American and Hispanic high school students to the joys of a career in medicine and surgery at a time when they are formulating future life plans. This program is geared specifically to students who have shown a strong aptitude in math and science and have expressed an interest in science or medical careers. The mentoring program provides these students with an opportunity to interact with surgeons and learn more about the profession.

This year, the Clinical Congress will be held in Washington, DC and 20-25 11th and 12th grade SEED students have been invited to participate in the High School Mentoring Program. If you know of any juniors or seniors who have expressed an interest in math, science, or are interested in pursuing a medical career, please either send me their names or have them contact me by next Friday, October 1st.

The 2010 High School Mentoring Program is scheduled for Wednesday, October 6, 2010, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm and will take place at the Washington Convention Center in room 146-BC.

Operation Understanding DC - applications due November 10!

Operation Understanding DC (OUDC) is a year-long, experiential, leadership development program that introduces students to other students who are passionate about pursuing social justice.

OUDC is currently looking for motivated, high school juniors who are:

• Eager to create change and promote social justice;
• Proud of their heritage and identity;
• Leaders or have leadership potential; and
• Involved in their communities.

The mission of OUDC is to provide quality programming to students and to build a generation of African American and Jewish community leaders who promote respect, understanding and cooperation while working to eradicate racism, anti-Semitism and all forms of discrimination. OUDC participants will engage in honest dialogues about slavery, the Holocaust, the Civil Rights Movement, current national and international issues, religion, spirituality, and much more.

Beginning in July, OUDC students will travel from New York City to the Deep South to explore their histories and create their blueprints for future activism. Each day, the students will hear from inspirational speakers, receive educational tours, and learn from life-changing experiences.

The application, recommendation forms and Sample Program Schedule can be downloaded from the OUDC website: www.oudc.org. Please note: Applications are due Wednesday, November 10, 2010.

Experiment in International Living - Spain (Tiera Douglas)

I would like to thank the Experiment in International Living (EIL) community for giving me the opportunity to travel to Spain this past summer. I really enjoyed the cities and experiencing the different cultures.

From this experiment, I can take away not only traveling to Spain and learning the Spanish language but also meeting life-long friends. That includes the people I traveled with as well as the people I interacted with who lived in Spain. As I sat on the plane waiting to take-off for Spain, I wrote a letter to myself and listed everything that I expected from the program. What I soon realized is that if you go somewhere with an open mind, you will enjoy yourself more than you could have ever imagined.

Once I arrived in Spain, I realized that I cannot be afraid to try things that I am not comfortable with because you never know what you will or will not enjoy. During the 5 weeks I spent in Spain, I studied in school for 2 weeks, lived with a host family for 2 weeks, and for 1 week, I explored several cities.

While in school, my teacher Juan Fe and Maria taught Spanish at a level that I never expected. They used games and music and even my group as teaching tools. Living with the host family made me appreciate how important family is and that family activities like going to the beach can help build stronger relationships with each other. The week that I spent exploring was amazing. Everything from canoeing to hiking or touring very famous buildings like the Gaudi Cathedral or his apartment that he used to live in.

The highlight of my trip was going to a giant tent in a park in Granada to watch the World Cup series where Spain eventually won. That night, the city began a weekend long celebration and I enjoyed every minute of it – from dancing in the streets to jumping in fountains and much more!

While I initially wanted to embark on this journey with friends, I never considered how many new people and life changing experiences I would run into. I strongly encourage next summer’s experimenters to pack a positive attitude and open mind in their suitcases because the excitement begins as soon as you meet your group in the airport. Being an Experimenter really opened my eyes to all of the endless possibilities that are headed my way.

Experiment in International Living - Japan (Jihad Ford)

This summer I was granted an extraordinary experience, an opportunity to travel to the other side of the world and stay in Japan for four weeks as a group member of the Experiment in International Living’s (EIL) 2010 Language and Anime program. Though the atmosphere of Japan is very fast paced and busy, I felt very safe and welcomed there. This trip has changed my perception of how I view the rest of the world and has truly broadened my horizon. I now strive to approach situations with an honest and open mind.

I really liked the language classes. The experience of being taught Japanese while living in Japan was mind-blowing. My teachers Reiko and Mayumi were extremely patient and effectively taught my group lots of essential basic Japanese phrases and words within the four short days we had to spend with them.

I also enjoyed the two weeks of Anime School at the Yoyogi Animation Guakin. I love art and I have an enormous passion for drawing so I naturally had a great appreciation for the Anime School. It was truly amazing working with professional Anime artists. All of my group members received one-on-one time with a professional artist at the school. One of the professors of the School was an artist of my favorite Japanese Cartoon (Anime), DragonBall Z. I really appreciated how we were given the chance to interact with the Anime school students by playing group games and team based activities.

Out of all of the many new experiences and opportunities I was given in Japan, I know without I doubt the experience that has had the greatest impact on me was the week-long of my homestay with the Morimuri family. I am glad that I comfortably and happily felt like a part of their family, which consisted of a stay at home mom, a dad who worked as a police officer, and three boys ages ten, five, and three years old.

I developed a very strong connection with the family almost instantly as the children found me fun to play with. Additionally, the mother and father found my being a boxer very interesting. As I reflect on the times that I spent staying up late at night talking with my host family, I regret that I didn’t do it more often, especially when I realized that not too many people can say they have had that opportunity. 

The homestay was very significant because it made me realize that two human beings can strongly connect and create a beautiful bond with one another while overcoming any obstacles, including language and culture barriers. My experience of living in Japan and understanding and appreciating the Japanese culture and customs has made me more conscious of the world around me and has created a curiosity in me to want to further explore the world.

My Summer - Kalonji Coleman

During the first week off from SEED, I went to a camp in Maine called Camp Manitou. We experienced a lot of new things like swimming in a lake, archery and riflery. That week, we got to do anything we wanted but we did have to switch from activity to activity. The worst part about our trip was getting there on the bus. I woke up with a cramp in my neck. It was also cold and I left my blanket in my suitcase – not a good move. The best part of the trip was when we went rock climbing. I was the first 6th grader to climb to the top! That made me feel proud of myself! We also learned how to play golf and now that I have a better understanding, I’m more interested in golf. I used to think that golf was the most boring sport. I still do but I like golf better now.

A few weeks after Camp Manitou, my brother and I celebrated our birthday at Six Flags with our friend Sean. We got to the park early and stayed until it closed and had the best time! I went back to Six Flags with my mentor and got on rides that I did not get a chance to ride on my birthday.

My brother and I also attended a Basketball Day camp at Calvin Coolidge High, the same camp that we attended last year. After the basketball camp, I went to a program called the National Society of Black Engineers' (NSBE) Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (SEEK). 

At the SEEK program, we learned how to build airplanes, make motorized toy cars and help make the Gulf of Mexico cleaner. I liked how we had the gears mesh. Mesh is when gears match. Gears are those things you see on your bike or motorcycle. They help move bikes.

I also attended the YMCA THINGAMAJIG Invention Convention. It was like a big science fair for kids at the Showplace Arena. I shared my experience at the Computer and Science Camp at Georgetown University that I attended in 2008. The best part about the YMCA THINGAMAJIG Invention Convention was that I got paid $10 an hour!

United States Senate Youth Program - application deadline is October 15!

The United States Senate Youth Program (U.S. SYP) is a unique educational experience for outstanding high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service.

The 49th annual program will be held in Washington, D.C., from March 5 - 12, 2011. The Program brings the highest-level officials from each branch of government together with an outstanding group of high school students — two high school juniors or seniors — from each of the fifty states, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity — for an intensive, week-long educational program held in Washington, D.C.

The program is merit-based and highly competitive and each student will receive a one-time, $5,000 undergraduate college scholarship with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science. All transportation, hotel and meal expenses will be provided by The Hearst Foundations.

Student delegates will also hear major policy addresses by Senators, cabinet members, officials from the Departments of State and Defense and directors of other federal agencies as well as participate in a meeting with a Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Please read the brochure for more information about the U.S. Senate Youth Program. The application deadline is Friday, October 15. Please see Mr. Cotton if you would like an application.

Just the Beginning Foundation's Summer Legal Institute - Jaelin Hayden

I went to Just the Beginning Foundation's Summer Legal Institute this summer and it was a phenomenal experience. I learned a lot about college, law school and what it’s like to be an attorney. For example, I learned that you don’t have to become an attorney to go to law school. You can go further with your studies and get a law degree and open a business. This will get you an advantage in getting a good job because you have a law degree. By talking to a lot of Judges and attorneys and also people that are still in law school, I learned that it’s a very rigorous but also exciting step to take. 

They have given me a lot of advice about college. For instance, they said make sure that I take a writing and/or thinking/analyzing class because this is what will help me prepare for law school. They also said that the time you spend in college is the only time you get to actually study something you want to learn so go for it and Ace that class because law schools are looking for people who Ace there classes no matter what the subject is. For example, they would rather you get an “A” in dance rather that get an “F” in Writing. We also listened in on a mock trial to see how things work in a court room and learned what US Marshals do. 

In this experience I learned what its like to be in front of an audience and be put on the spot in front of everyone. We had to present our oral arguments on a case about a senior having cocaine on school property. I was the prosecutor and whoever gave the best oral argument gets a trophy. Unfortunately, I didn’t win but I learned a lot and how it feels to be put out of your comfort zone. This was good practice for me and I really recommend people to sign-up for this program because you will leave this program with new ideas and new thoughts and I guarantee it will make you think twice about what you want to do with your future.

Experiment in International Living - Spain (Cherrise Dorsey)

While experimenting in Spain this summer, I learned what it means to be an experimenter. An experimenter is an ambassador who represents their school and the Experiment in International Living (EIL). 

This summer, I attended EIL’s Art History program in Spain. Though Spain was not my first choice, I loved the experience. I explored different cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Girona, Figueres, Cadaques, and Toledo. I learned new things about artists that I studied in art class prior to my trip. On the ESAS program, we studied artists like Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro, Antoni Gaudi, and Salvador Dali. I studied three out of the four artists in school.

The majority of my trip was based around getting to know a new culture. In the beginning, I felt out of place and that I didn’t belong but I then got used to the Spanish culture. During my homestay, I felt a little uncomfortable because I was in a different surrounding, but my host family made me feel welcomed. I had two sisters in my homestay, Andrea, 19 and Claudia, 15. Andrea was the oldest and she was someone who loved to go to the beach and have fun. She had taken me out around the town and showed me the life of a Spaniard. I had lots of fun with her, from riding the trains to seeing Spain win the World Cup in futbol and going to the beach. My other sister Claudia was disabled so while we couldn’t go out, we talked about a lot of things like her love of horses and that her favorite color is brown. My host mother and father were great. My mother made sure I was well fed and comfortable. My father lives his life like everyday is his last. He goes hiking, swimming, and bike riding. He actually took my sister Claudia and I bike riding one evening. He is also a great cook and he cooks a dish that is now my all time favorite Spanish dish: Paella. Love it! Love it! Love it! While my host family was concerned about the amount of time that I spent on the computer and on the phone, we were able to resolve those issues.

While the homestay was a memorable part of my experience, I really enjoyed the art experience. I was so fascinated by a lot of thing that I saw and was thankful that I got to see such amazing artworks in person. Pablo Picasso, one of my favorite artists, has a piece called Guernica. While I was able to study the Guernica in my class in the states, being able to go to Spain and see it in person was a life changing experience for me. I was also able to explore the home and tomb of famous artist Salvador Dali, which was another amazing experience. Dali created a piece that I also like called The Persistence of Memory. Joan Miro was also a great artist whose works of art had deep meaning to it. He actually studied the author Dostoevsky, whose book, Crime and Punishment, I read over the summer. I thought it was fascinating that I’m not the only one who studied Dostoevsky. And Antoni Gaudi was an architect, whose work was beautiful and something of an imaginary world. Learning more about these artists and where they come from made me realize how grateful I am to have what I have.

During this trip I leaned things about Spain that would have never crossed my mind. I’ve learned that most of their land was built on high ground to prevent people from attacking or invading them. I learned how the Jews were kicked out of Spain and that today, there is not 1 Jewish person residing in Spain. In Spain, I also learned that they are conservative about energy. They line dry all of their clothes, which is great. The food, some was great and some were not my favorite. Patatas Bravas and Paella are my favorites! Also, the Ice Cream is indescribable! It’s rich and delicious and I spent nearly $60 American dollars on ice cream! Their fruit was very delicious as well, but some Spaniards don’t eat the skin. I was eating the skin and they looked at me as if I was crazy, but I told them that’s where most of the nutrients come from.

Overall I fell in love with the landscape of Spain. It was just so gorgeous that there was never a day where I didn’t want to go out. It was hot, but everyday was always a beautiful day to do anything.

Anyone who is looking for a good time and sites to see would really enjoy going to Spain. One day, I want to go back on my own time or study abroad so that I can learn more about Spain and its culture.

Experiment in International Living - Scotland (Malcolm Coleman)

It’s hard to consider yourself world-aware, if you never been anywhere in the world. And even if you’re traveling from one continent to the next in a matter of days, you aren’t automatically deemed the authority on worldly matters. What determines that is your will to learn from the people that you meet, your passion to teach and to be taught, and sometimes all it takes is a game of lap tag…

DC is a city of many faces. Being that it is the nation’s capitol, it is very diverse. People of all races, cultures, and creeds, from all corners of the earth reside here. I could say that I know those people but I would be a liar. Before going to Scotland as part of the Experiment in International Living (EIL) program, it was always easy for me branch out. But I learned that no matter what, you can always introduce yourself. That is the beginning of every life-long relationship.

Upon meeting my group members I noticed that there were already similarities amongst us. For instance, they were all people, which I might add was a big relief. It’s so crazy to think that over the period of a month these people became as close as family. Before my trip I had never been forced to stay at a table even after I was finished eating. I’m kind of mad now at our group leader for making me talk even more to people that I had walked two and a half miles around the city with – It makes me miss them even more. I’m glad to say that I did have fun and made new friends.

For me, fun used to be a 12-pack box of strawberry Pop-Tarts, a large glass of milk, and Call of Duty. Much to my surprise, Scotland has a different definition of fun. In Scotland, fund is all outdoors and it never stops. Fun is running through the vibrant streets of Glasgow (pronounced glass-go, if you didn’t know), unraveling a human knot from a beautiful vista on the Isle of Skye, or rock-climbing on an amazing beach an hour and a half away from Lagganlia. And sometimes it more than worth the two hour trip to get there because you get so much out of the experience.

While in Scotland I had forgotten to pack something that most people consider essential: my comfort zone. There was no room for it in my bag I guess. In the long run, however, I think I was better off without it. I did thing in Scotland that I don’t think I would have had the confidence to do here at home. A vegetable-off can tell you a lot about a person such as how good they are at thinking on their feet. Lap tag is just one of those games that you won’t learn in America and it’s for a good reason too. In America, we hold ourselves back from having as much possible fun as we can because of transparent restrictions that we teach ourselves to make for some reason or another.

Faces are hard to remember when you’re moving fast everyday. They all just blur together like some sort of weird spirit picture of life. But if take your time and look some one deep in the face, you end up with a picture etched in your mind forever. It’s not only the face you remember but the person behind it. And you begin to realize that you haven’t slowed down to see this person but they have sped up to match your speed. And the world as a whole adjusts to your speed.

Language Learning Scholarships Available!

 The National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) is offering scholarships for students to travel abroad in the summer of 2011 to study the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Persian, Russian, and Turkish. Please note: the application deadline is November 11, 2010!

Beginning, intermediate, and advanced language learners with a passion for learning languages, communicating across cultures, and living abroad are strongly encouraged to apply. It is not necessary to have previously studied a language in order to apply. All levels of language ability are encouraged to apply.

As a NYLI-Y participant, you will have an opportunity to:

• Begin a lifetime of learning and working with international communities and cultures

• Participate in language classes, cultural immersion, and community service projects

• Interact with host country friends, families, and communities, in person and through online technologies

• Continue language study and share cultural awareness and understanding when you return home

• Promote international dialogues and the study of foreign languages in your home community

In order to apply, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be a US Citizen

• Participants should be between the ages of 15 – 18.5 years of age at the start of the program

• Be currently enrolled in high school at time of application

• Have a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)

Please visit: http://www.nsliforyouth.org/nslicms-1.1/content/apply-now for more information about the application process. You will need to create an account in order to start the online application.

North Carolina Outward Bound - Keyana White

My North Carolina Outward Bound (NCOB) experience was very challenging. I have learned a lot about myself and I now know what I am capable of.

When I learned that have to cook my own food and live outside while on course, I became less intrigued about the course. But something deep down inside me told that I could do it if I put my mind to it. I wanted to be challenged and taken out of my comfort zone.

On day one of my course, I was very skeptical and I wanted to go home. Throughout my course, I was challenged and at times I felt defeated. By day 19 however, I began to feel accomplished. I realized that throughout the course, I did not exemplify my full potential because I was being taken out of my comfort zone. I was without a television, my cell phones, my Ipod, and running water for 3 weeks! I am now more appreciative for the things that I have at home.

North Carolina Outward Bound has provided me with the opportunity to try new things and meet wonderful people. I know that I have made life long connections with the people that I have met. I am thankful for this wonderful opportunity that was given to me – even though it took me awhile to realize how wonderful this opportunity is

North Carolina Outward Bound has challenged me in the face of adversity and for that, I am thankful.

North Carolina Outward Bound - Travis Ferrell

I learned a lot through my time at North Carolina Outward Bound (NCOB). I first learned that you can make really close friends in a short period of time. 

I was with the group led by Jen and Josh and at first, I thought it was the outdoors that made me talk and become a more social person. But, the personalities that were around me created a different version of me. 

During my time at Outward Bound, I learned that while on the course, no matter who you are or what you look like, you get treated just the same. After my first two days at the course I saw that everyone was close to each other and we started to learn a lot about each other. The other campers that I was with became the family that I didn’t think I could have. Even though I looked different than everyone that was at the course, I still was treated with the care and respect that you would treat a sibling.

Echo Hill Camp - Ariel Pendergast

Camp Echo Hill was at the Chesapeake Bay and the water activities they had were tubing, water skiing, sailing, boat riding, wakeboarding, kayaking, and a beach hike. My favorite water activities were the boat rides and tubing.

For tubing, you lie on this board and try to hold on as the boat driver goes fast and turns and tries to make you fall off. I only fell off once before I got the hang of it. The land sport activities were volleyball, basketball, soccer, ultimate Frisbee, archery, paintball, a giant swing, zip line, a woods hike, an art center, and pottery. My 2 favorite land sports were volleyball and the giant swing. On the giant swing, they put you in a harness and the people there pull you up higher until you say stop. When you say stop you have to pull this yellow string. It took me a while to do it [pull the string] but when I did, I was in total shock. Everyone said that I screamed so loud that I burst someone’s ear drum. The tents were okay; we had to put bug nets over our bed.

Every Friday there was a dance. It was really fun because they had this light that flickers really fast. So if you move really fast you look like a robot. There was also this light that made your shirt glow. We got to dance on the tables too! On the last day, a lot of people cried because everyone was leaving. I've made 2 friends from Russia that I will keep in touch with.

City Kids - Olatunji Coleman

 

I attended the City Kids camp way out in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The ranch was huge. It was bigger than Camp Manitou, a camp I went to earlier in the summer. City Kids had horses that they rented for the whole summer. They let us pick one to take care of. My horse was pure snow white and her name was Toots. She liked another horse named Chowder. My cabinmates were Thomas and Jeru.

I did a lot of new things at City Kids. The camp has a lot of stories behind it. The story of the chizzler (whistle pigs) who bit off a camper toes when it provoked it. Or Jake the Headless Moose, who was shot by Justin, a cook, when he was a teen. They say ever since then Jake has always come back to the ranch, looking for his head.

I learned how to White Water Raft. That is like the mixture of canoeing and a rollercoaster. We rafted down the Snake River. There is freezing cold water and the rapids are huge. I also learned how to control a horse. I have learned that if [a horse] it is stubborn then you have to be even more stubborn than the horse.

I would recommend City Kids to anyone. It was a great experience and kids will learn how to take care of horses a few core values, including Responsibility and Leaving No Trace (L.N.T). Respect is another Core Value. City Kids will give you a better appreciation of the wilderness, horses and rivers.

Space Camp - Crystaleen Gordon

My name is Crystaleen Gordon/Elmo and I went to Space Camp with Jiheib [Anderson] and Taniya [Dunn]. We had so much fun and met new people and became friends. For Space Camp, we had to go to Alabama and it was a long ride there. I was really upset because I did not get a window seat and because the airlines don’t give you peanuts anymore! What a bummer! Other than that it was fun.

The food at Space Camp was so good! We had ice cream everyday with lunch. The gift shop had everything, even space food (word of caution – do not eat it! Just don’t do it!). Also, there was a ride called Space Shot. It took people up 50ft in the air and dropped them. I didn’t want to do it at first but when I did eventually get on, I rode Space Shot at least 7 times! At the end I was happy to come home.

Space Camp - Jiheib Anderson

Space camp was awesome! The food was so amazing that I got seconds! We ate the same thing for breakfast but I didn’t complain. We got on rollercoasters and my favorite activity was rock climbing; I’m good at that. Rock climbing is all about upper and lower [body] strength. 

We learned a lot about space and how astronauts work, sleep, eat and use the restroom. We went to a museum once or twice and ran around and played. It was so much fun!

Fish Awards Space Camp Scholarships to Three DC Area Students - 7/20/2010

Washington, D.C., July 20, 2010 – Fish & Richardson announced today that three D.C. sixth grade students – Jiheib Anderson, Taniya Dunn, and Crystaleen Roze Gordon – have been chosen to receive full scholarships to attend the U.S. Space & Rocket Center Space Camp in Huntsville, AL at the end of July. The goal of Fish’s Space Camp Scholarship program is to get students excited about the fields of math, science, and technology.

The students are selected each year from the SEED Public Charter School, the nation’s first urban public boarding school, which provides an intensive education program for students whose challenging circumstances might otherwise prevent them from fulfilling their academic and social potential.

The students will travel with a teacher for the six-day Space Camp program, where they will experience simulated space shuttle missions, participate in programs on space exploration, and learn about mission control. The students receive full tuition to Space Camp, roundtrip airfare and accommodations for themselves and their chaperones, spending money, and a “flight spacesuit” to bring home. For many of the students, the trip to Space Camp is their first experience flying in an airplane and seeing a different part of the United States.

“Fish started its Space Camp Scholarship program in 1999 and it is one of the most satisfying charitable programs we run each year,” said Terry Mahn, Managing Principal of Fish’s Washington, D.C. office. “These students represent our future and we hope that this experience will encourage them to explore science and technology for the rest of their lives.”

Fish sends 30 students – from the 10 cities across the country where the firm has offices – along with chaperones to Space Camp each year. All of the schools that participate in the program are in economically disadvantaged areas. The students are selected by Fish based on a written application and an in-person interview. The students will visit Fish’s office when they return to “report on their mission.”

Steve Harvey's Dreamers Academy

Steve Harvey is looking for 100 high school students to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will open their minds, change their lives, and help them shine their brightest.

The fourth annual Disney's Dreamers Academy will be held at the Walt Disney World Resort from March 3-6, 2011 and the selected attendees will hear from highly successful Disney mentors, celebrities, innovators, and creators.

If you are a high school student and you think that you would benefit from participating in the Dreamers Academy, please complete and submit an application by Sunday, October 31 to:

Dreamers Contest Submission

P.O. Box 25138

West Bloomfield, MI 48325

*It only takes a spark to light the fire of a dream and the ambitions of a dreamer.*

DC Council Youth Internship Program - Application Deadline 9/27/10!

The DC Council’s Youth Internship Program (CYIP) is a yearlong program that provides high school juniors and seniors (ages 16-19) with exciting opportunities to gain meaningful professional and educational enrichment experiences through work in DC Councilmember offices.

Administered through the Council’s Office of Youth Programs (OYP), the CYIP is an excellent opportunity for youth to utilize their leadership skills regarding issues that impact their lives through participation in the legislative process, community service, and hearings. Interns will participate in Council meetings, hearings, and other aspects of legislative business. Past Council interns have received scholarships, awards, and have matriculated to some of America’s most renowned colleges and universities. They have been able to use their Council internship experience as a means to gain access to college and other educational and professional opportunities.

The application deadline for the 2010-2011 Session of the CYIP is Monday, September 27 2010. All complete application packets must be submitted or postmarked by this date.

My Summer Experience - Tyrhee Moore

This summer, I really enjoyed the activities I did. One activity in particular was my month long backpacking trip in Alaska through the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). This trip was nothing like a vacation; instead this trip taught me leadership skills in harsh environments. The NOLS experience pushed me and everyone else in my group to the edge numerous times but we all pushed through and made it to the much desired end.

The mornings were extremely cold before we had to break down our tents before we could begin that day’s activities. If it rained, we ate breakfast under a tarp and then set off for a day long backpacking trip while carrying about 80 pounds of gear. We would reach our camp site around 6pm and then it was time to set up for camp. We would eat dinner under our tarp and sometimes, we would hang out afterward or depending on the weather, we would brush our teeth and head straight for the tents.

My NOLS experience taught me that you can go through life without all of the material things that you think you need. I learned that you can live off of the things you work for and you can carry your life on your back. I also learned to lead my peers through dangerous, uncomfortable, and unfamiliar places. After this experience, I have definitely learned to take things for what they are and work through them. I also learned to live my life simply and that there are always good things coming along in the future, like the train at the end of our trip.