FAIRFAX, Va. – The National Rifle Association is pleased to announce the students selected to attend the 2017 Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.), a seven-day educational experience in Washington, D.C., scheduled for July 24-30, 2017.
As part of Y.E.S., students from across the United States learn the significance of the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the importance of being an active citizen as they visit memorials and monuments throughout the nation’s capital. Scheduled stops include the Capitol Building, the National Museum of American History, and the National Museum of the Marine Corps, the National Archives, the Newseum, Mount Vernon, and a safe introduction to the shooting sports at NRA Headquarters. Students will also participate in discussion about current events to have them learn from each other, to learn more about new topics. Additionally students will be assigned a team debate topic, which is meant to foster teamwork abilities, research capabilities, and leadership skills.
Students who excel in the week’s activities through demonstrating strong leadership, public speaking, and debate skills will be awarded up to $15,000 in college scholarships at the summit’s closing ceremony. Following Y.E.S., an additional $25,000 in scholarships will be made available through the Y.E.S. Grand Scholarship, which encourages attendees to create a portfolio detailing the promotion of NRA programs, like Eddie Eagle GunSafe® and Refuse To Be A Victim®, in their communities.
Any high school sophomore or junior in the United States is welcome to apply to Y.E.S. The summit’s application process includes a written essay on the Second Amendment, personal statement, transcript affirming a minimum 3.00 grade point average, and three personal recommendations. This year’s class of 46 was selected from hundreds of qualified applicants. This year we are excited to have students from 35 states, including both Alaska and Hawaii!
The National Rifle Association launched the Youth Education Summit in 1996 (The state-level program started in 2002) to encourage America's youth to become active and knowledgeable citizens at both the national and local levels. More than $500,000 in scholarships have been awarded throughout the program’s 20-year history. Funding for Y.E.S. is provided through The NRA Foundation from monies raised by Friends of NRA, a grassroots fund-raising program in support of the shooting sports.
2017 Y.E.S. Participants
Alaska: Grayson Davey Alaska: Sophia Puliafico Arkansas: Alex Henry Arizona: Kira Dean Arizona: Cristian Lee California: Emily Cupp California: Brent Hinchcliff California: Isabella Orozco Colorado: Gage Paris Florida: Dennis Hull Florida: Peter Leonard Georgia: Sawyer Williams Hawaii: Iceley Andaya Illinois: Krzysztof Gajda Illinois: Natalie Seaman Indiana: Matthew Burton Kentucky: Andrew Sisson Kentucky: Allen Slaughter Louisiana: Canlin Dionne Louisiana: Jonah Finley Massachusetts: Amby Tierney Maryland: Madeleine Sateri Minnesota: Therese Minwegen Missouri: Mary (Mikey) Schad Montana: Hanna Antonsen North Carolina: Jared Lockhart Nebraska: Jamison Sapp New Jersey: Zelan Von Kaenel New Mexico: David Velez New York: Reade Ben New York: Gianna Guzzo Ohio: Quinton Taylor Oklahoma: Jonathan McCormick Jr. Oregon: Owen Vredenburg Pennsylvania: Lauren Klima South Carolina: Brad Lehman Tennessee: Lincoln Dillman Texas: Kaitlyn Callaway Texas: Stephen Garner Texas: Denise Shaffer Utah: Marlie Root Virginia: Rylie Pennell Washington: Simon Sefzik Wisconsin: Emily Rasmussen West Virginia: Katelyn Sette Wyoming: Kaden Gaukel
About the National Rifle Association Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Five million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and is the leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military. Visit http://nra.org.