Future Civic Leaders is currently accepting applications!

Future Civic Leaders is currently accepting online applications for their 2011 Summer Leadership Conference! The annual Summer Leadership Conference is a residential summer program that hosts 40 high school students. The program dates are:

6/27-6/29
7/11-7/13
7/18-7/20

7/25-7/27

Students will participate in various trainings, meet national politicians and run their own simulated congressional campaigns! This conference is held in multiple sessions during June and July in Washington, DC and is free! The program is for students who are either low-income, lower-middle class or who have been otherwise disadvantaged and the application deadline is March 31, 2011.

Last year’s speakers included: Ed Henry (CNN Anchor), Rep. Jared Polis (U.S. Congressman), Rep. Frank Pallone, James Kotecki, John McConnell (George W. Bush’s speechwriter) and more!

The main element of the conference is a simulated congressional campaign each student will take part in. All participants will be split into small teams and each student will play a role, such as candidate or campaign manager, and they will spend the conference making sure that their candidate gets elected. This is not only interactive but also educational.

Instead of just listening to speakers, students will be advised by real political operatives. For example, when the students have to write their speeches, a speechwriter will come and talk about speechwriting. When they work on fundraising, lobbyists and fundraisers will teach them how to set a budget. In 2010, students also toured the national headquarters of both the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. In addition, they were brought to the actual floor of the House of Representatives! This year promises to be bigger and better then ever!

The campaign is not just a fun simulation, but an avenue for active learning! The conference will culminate in an “election night celebration” where results will be announced and students will celebrate accomplishments while dancing the night away! Spend three days of your summer at this free, fun and exciting program!

Cornell's Summer College - Applications are currently available!

 Applications for Cornell’s Summer College are currently available! Cornell University's prestigious "Summer College Programs for High School Students" offers three- and six-week academic programs for talented sophomores, juniors, and seniors from around the world.

As a summer Cornellian you can:

• Experience the excitement of college life at a great Ivy League university.
• Take fascinating college courses with Cornell's world-renowned faculty.
• Get a head start on college by earning three to six college credits.
• Explore careers and academic majors from architecture to veterinary medicine.
• Enhance your college applications and attend admissions workshops.
• Live, study, and play on one of the nation's most beautiful campuses.
• Make friends from around the world, and more!

You can choose from programs in:

Architecture, Art and Design, Business, College Success, Computer and Information Science, Engineering, Environmental Studies, History and Politics, Hotel Management, Humanities, Law and Government, Medicine, Psychology, Research and Science, and Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science. Please visit http://www.sce.cornell.edu/sc/programs/index.php for more details about these programs.

 

As a Summer College student, you'll enroll in one or more of Cornell's fast-paced and rigorous undergraduate courses and enjoy the rare opportunity to work closely with some of Cornell's most outstanding professors. The grades and credits you earn will be recorded on an official Cornell University transcript. These credits can generally be applied toward an undergraduate degree at Cornell or another school.

In addition, to help you in your college search, you can attend a college fair, one-on-one admissions consultations, and special workshops with Cornell admissions officers. You'll live in a residence hall on campus and enjoy a wide range of fun activities. Summer College staff will be available 24/7 to support you as you tackle college classes, juggle free time and coursework, negotiate life with a roommate, and practice living on your own.

Apply early as applications are accepted on a rolling basis!

• Summer College programs run for three or six weeks between June 25 and August 9 on the Cornell campus in Ithaca, New York.
• Programs are designed for sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school.
• To be eligible for Summer College, you must have completed your sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school by June 2011. Check individual programs for specific eligibility requirements.
• Cornell receives between 1,200 and 1,450 applications for all programs.
• More than 800 students attend Summer College each year: approximately 50 percent female, 50 percent male.
• At Summer College, you'll truly be part of an international, multicultural community. Summer College 2010 students came from more than 554 cities in 40 countries around the world!
• Limited financial aid is available.

P.O.W.E.R. program - Leadership opportunity for rising 8th graders!

The United Planning Organization (UPO), in partnership with The American University’s School of Education, Teaching and Health (SETH) has launched an innovative higher education preparation entitled P.O.W.E.R. (Providing Opportunities with Educational Readiness).

98% of P.O.W.E.R. participants have graduated from high school and 85% of those have graduated from college within 5 years.

Staff from SETH and UPO have designed a summer curriculum that builds upon American University’s social justice philosophy, encourages academic rigor, provides cultural exposure and of course, FUN! 

This curriculum will include four major areas: reading/writing, math, science and social studies. These areas will then be organized within a media arts framework—that is designed to better engage the youth and allow them to explore and visually portray a social justice issue within their community. The program is gender based and the group of 20 rising eighth grade males and 20 rising eighth grade females will meet separately. 

The components of the P.O.W.E. R. Program are:

• The Summer Campus: During the summer, the youth will attend the P.O.W.E.R. Program on American University’s campus every day for up to five weeks. The coursework will concentrate on enhancing the youths’ skills in science, math, English and an elective that guides their exploration of a social justice issues.
  
• Saturdays at American: Beginning in the 8^th grade and continuing through the 12^th grade, participants attend Saturday P.O.W.E.R. classes from 10am to 3pm to work on the core subjects of English and math at the American University campus. Additional neighborhood P.O.W.E.R. classes may be added after-school for academic tutorials and enrichment purposes.
  
• Family Alliance: One of the key features of the P.O.W.E.R. Program is a holistic approach to family involvement. Through the use of the Village Project concept, UPO and American University will be able to address the academic needs of youth and the employment, health and adult education needs of their parents. Case management, quarterly family activities and workshops will serve to strengthen family relationships, introduce parents/guardians to the higher education opportunities for their children and provide them with social and academic support as needed.
  
• Family Commitment: The P.O.W.E.R. program is a five (5) year initiative that will assist students and their families with higher education preparation.
  
  Families are asked to commit to:
• Ensuring that their child participates in at least 90% of the Saturday classes at American University;
  
• Attending quarterly family meetings or activities; and
  
• Summer participation in the P.O.W.E.R. program through the 12^th grade.

Requirements

1. Submit a completed P.O.W.E.R. application package before the February 1^st application deadline;
2. Be a Resident of the District of Columbia;
3. Be a rising 8^th grader in DC Public Schools and live in Ward 8;
4. Commit to participate with this project for five years;
5. Willing to participate in research interviews, surveys and focus groups;
6. Willing to provide on-going Family participation; and,
7. Income not to exceed 150% of the Federal Poverty Guideline.

 For more information, please contact:

Ms. Abeo F. Anderson

Program Coordinator, P.O.W.E.R. Program

Youth Services Division

United Planning Organization

3839 Alabama Avenue, SE

Washington, DC 20020

Phone: 202-238-8661

Fax: 202-575-7595

aanderson@upo.org

Cathedral Scholars Program: Applications due February 2nd!

The Cathedral Scholars Program is looking for highly motivated 9^th graders who are planning to attend college. The program will strengthen students’ academics, develop their leadership skills, provide students with work experience and equip them to succeed in either college or any other advanced education.

 In order to be considered for the Scholars Program, students must:

• Have a GPA of 3.0 or above;
• Be recommended by a counselor, teacher or administrator;
• Be eligible to work in DC;
• Complete a Scholars Program application (please contact Mr. Cotton for an application) by Wednesday, February 2^nd; and
• Commit to summer attendance for 3 years (beginning at the end of their 9^th grade year to the end of the 11^th).

Scholars who are accepted into the program will participate in academic studies at the Washington National Cathedral for 6 weeks each summer. The program also includes SAT prep, paid work internships, visits to various colleges and a 3 day trip to camp Echo Hill which is located on the Chesapeake Bay. While at Echo Hill, participants will have an opportunity to fish, kayak, hike and explore their surroundings.

In addition to the 6 week program, two 3^rd year students will have the opportunity to go to England to do a 2 week study/internship abroad program!

Scholars will be selected based on their academic performance, character and leadership potential. Final decisions will be made by the end of February/early March.

Omega Psi Phi Talent Hunt - March 19, 2011!

The Washington, DC Chapters of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. are presenting their Annual Talent Hunt Competition on March 19, 2011. The Talent Hunt Competition is a forum where exceptionally talented high school students can display their ability to:

• Dance (Ballet, Modern dance and tap);
• Play music – vocally and instrumentally (Classical, Semi-Classical, Gospel, R&B, Hip-Hop, and Jazz); or
• Speak publicly (Poetry, Dramatic readings, Orations and Monologues).

Please note – duets and groups are not eligible and all participants must provide any necessary accompaniment. All performances are limited to six (6) minutes, must be memorized and the use of microphones is not permitted during the performance.

Applications must be postmarked by February 15, 2011 and the applications can be sent to:

Talent Hunt Committee

Attn: Phillip Thomas, Chairman

11102 Hudee Court

Mitchellville, MD 20721

Fax: 202-544-0852

Walk-in applications will also be accepted during the

February 19^th audition. Participants must also submit a consent form in order to participate in the Talent Hunt Competition.

The audition and the competition will be held at the Community Academy Public Charter School (CAPCS), AMOS-III, which is located at:

1400 1^st St., NW (1^st and P Streets)

For additional information, please contact:
Phillip Thomas
Cell: (202) 285-6665
Email: dreammerchang@yahoo.com

Kids to Kids is offering a FREE trip to Peru!

Kids to Kids is looking for two outstanding Kids to Kids Members to send to Peru this summer for a month-long trip that is being led by Putney Student Travel! The two winners will receive an all-expenses paid trip to Peru to serve as Kids to Kids Field Reporters. The trip will combine community service, cultural immersion and multiple site visits to Kids to Kids projects.

As Field Reporters on the trip, the selected winners will have an opportunity to share their stories and experiences both with kids participating in Kids to Kids projects in Peru and with Kids to Kids Members across the US.

The trip will take place from June 26, 2011 – July 26, 2011 and applicants must be:

• Completing grades 9 – 12;
•  A Kids to Kids Member; and
• An active advocate of Kids to Kids.

 

Application Requirements

• Write an essay and submit your application for a chance to represent Kids to Kids in the field
• Consent from Parent/Guardian
• Two letters of Recommendation

 To apply, download the application materials and submit them by February 15, 2011.

You can email the application to or you can mail the application to:

World Connect
Attn: Kids to Kids: Go Peru! Challenge681 Main Street, Suite 337
Waltham, MA 02451

If you have any questions, you can send an email to Kids to Kids: kidstokidstravel@worldconnect-us.org.

Participate in NOLS this summer!

 The National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) is looking for students who are motivated to develop outdoor and leadership skills this summer. NOLS takes students on remote wilderness expeditions were they learn technical outdoor skills, leadership, and environmental ethics in some of the world’s wildest and most awe-inspiring classrooms. Other skills that are taught on NOLS courses include backpacking, canoeing, whitewater kayaking, caving, rock climbing, fly fishing, horse-packing, sea kayaking, mountaineering, rafting, sailing, skiing, and snowboarding.

If you are in good physical and emotional health and are socially responsible, you are invited to complete the attached application. Applications are due by Tuesday, March 8. If you have any questions about NOLS, you can ask Tyrhee Moore, who participated in a NOLS course this past summer.