Texas high school students learn about their state government and the roles voters play

Fairfax, Virginia - Prior to the National Youth Education Summit, held each June in Washington, DC, some states have begun holding State Youth Education Summit programs to introduce high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors to their state government and learn about their state's unique heritage and history, and obtain a better understanding of volunteer organizations and how young citizens can become involved in serving their communities. Of course, like at National Y.E.S., a special emphasis is also placed on the benefits of firearms ownership.

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2013 NRA Y.E.S. participants to be announced at end of the month

Fairfax, Virginia - It's that time of year again. No, not the NFL Draft. Well okay, yes next week's draft. But that isn't the only thing happening at the end of April. The participants of this year's NRA Youth Education Summit (YES) will soon be announced!

The National Y.E.S. is a once in a lifetime seven-day, all expenses paid leadership seminar here in Washington, D.C. Open to any sophomore or junior with at least a 3.00 grade point average, Y.E.S. is an opportunity for today's youth to receive first hand knowledge of how the federal government really works through activities such as:

• Guest speakers at NRA Headquarters and the National Firearms Museum
  
• Competitive debates with other high school students from across the nation
  
• Informative tours at historic sites and monuments in and around Washington, D.C.

More on the Youth Education Summit's Class of 2013 announcement ...

New Mexico's 2012 NRA Y.E.S. participant reflects on last year's summit

Emily Allen, who attended the 2012 Youth Education Summit on behalf of her home state of New Mexico, recently sent us an essay she'd written on how the weeklong trip to D.C. has influenced her life. Read on to have Emily share the knowledge she gained at Y.E.S.

I will never forget the excitement that ran through me as I opened the packet with trembling hands that told me I had been chosen as the 2012 Youth Education Summit representative for New Mexico. I originally applied for the trip because of my love of history and Y.E.S. sounded like a great way to get to enjoy some history in our nation’s capital. Little did I know that this trip would open my horizons and help me become the person I am today.

Through the Youth Education Summit, I have become the civically active person I have always dreamed of being. The Eddie Eagle Gunsafe Program was one of the many excellent programs I learned about while on the trip. I absolutely love this program and I have gained many opportunities to teach and hand it out as a volunteer of the program. Through outdoor and gun shows, along with scouting and church groups, I have had the opportunity to affect over 650 kids in my local area! It is so incredibly rewarding to have little kids run out of the classroom to tell their parents about what Eddie just taught them, knowing that it could save these little guys’ lives.

More on New Mexico's Youth Education Summit thank you ...

Texas Governor Rick Perry welcomes students to State's first NRA YES event

Arlington, Texas - NRA's Youth Education Summit (YES) brings more than forty students from across the United States to Washington, DC. While here in the nation's capital, they visit with political leaders, take part in seminars with NRA staff, tour the monuments and learn what it truly means to be an American citizen.

There are a number ways for the kids to earn a spot on the YES bandwagon. Sometimes a stellar application is all it takes. Maybe they find a way to wrangle up a recommendation from an NRA Board Member or elected official. Or the teens are chosen based on their performance at a state YES event.

Texas is one of those states that holds their own YES event ... at least they are now. Thanks to the hard work of South Texas Field Representative Liz Foley, the little Lone Stars were treated to the first Texas YES down in Austin.

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Hundreds of high school students from all over the United States applied for the NRA's week long educational experience

Fairfax, Virginia - The Youth Education Summit, NRA's educational experience for high school students, received a record number 300 applications this year.

The week long trip brings high school sophomores and juniors from all over the country to our nation's capital, Washington D.C., for a time they won't soon forget.

More on this year's Youth Education Summit applications...

High school sophomores and juniors, hurry up and get your applications in for this once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Fairfax, Virginia - For all you high school sophomores and juniors out there, February 18 is the latest you can postmark your application for this year's NRA Youth Education Summit. This weeklong trip to Washington D.C. from June 24 - 30 is one you don't want to miss and won't soon forget.

Aside from getting to see tons of great sights around our nation's capital, Y.E.S. has multiple scholarship opportunities and will help you develop leadership, public speaking, and debating skills. Increase your awareness and appreciation of American government, get introduced to the shooting sports and so much more!

More on what to expect at the Youth Education Summit ...

Pennsylvania and Texas state Youth Education Summits coming this spring

Fairfax, Virginia - Each summer forty-five outstanding high school sophomores and juniors are flown to Washington D.C. for week-long educational opportunity courtesy of the NRA. It's called the Youth Education Summit and has been teaching young men and women about the Constitution, Bill of Rights and the federal government since 1996.

At Y.E.S. students have the opportunity to receive college scholarships based on their performance. To date, over $385,000 in scholarships has been awarded!

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Years after attending Youth Education Summit, alum remains active in community

Fairfax, Virginia - 2011 Youth Education Summit participant Amanda Krpan had an amazing experience at the week long educational experience here in Washington D.C.

When we checked in with the Florida native last year, she was still very active in her community and had just taught the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program to over 200 Cub Scouts.

Well, she's at it again. Amanda brought Eddie's important message to a brand new group of Cub Scouts and couldn't wait to share the experience with us:

I hope all is well with you and the other YES staff! I know you all are probably hard at work getting ready for this years YES program and I thought I would let you guys know what I did this past weekend!

Saturday Feb 2, I went to Melrose, Florida to teach Cub Scouts at “Buc Tuocs” gun safety with Eddie Eagle, just like last year. The directors liked the program so much they asked me to come back and do it again this year!

We did seven sessions of the program again, but what I found wonderful was that the scouts who went through the program last year remembered Eddie and his message. The kids loved him and wanted to volunteer to be my helpers this time around when we role played with the skits.

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Sophomores and juniors! Get your applications in for this once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Fairfax, Virginia - You have just two weeks to get in on the action of this year's NRA Youth Education Summit. If you're a sophomore or junior in high school, YOU could be a part of a weeklong trip to Washington, D.C.

Find the application for this once-in-a-lifetime experience at the Youth Education Summit website. The summit takes place June 24 - 30 this summer, but applications must be postmarked by February 18!

More on what to expect at the Youth Education Summit ...