The NRA Youth Education Summit Proudly Announces Its 2018 Class

The National Rifle Association is pleased to announce the students selected to attend the 2018 Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.), a seven-day educational experience in Washington, D.C.  This year we are excited to have 93 students attending, split between two sessions. There will be representatives from 41 states—including our first student ever from Rhode Island!

All of these students excel in the classroom and in their communities. This year’s class has an average GPA of 3.7, the majority of students take advanced classes and many are taking college courses. These students are involved in a variety of sports, clubs and activities, serving as captains and officers in many cases. In addition, members of the class of 2018 show a tremendous amount of dedication to their communities by participating in various service projects, and, in some cases, even organizing new projects with long term effects. 

During Y.E.S. these young NRA ambassadors will learn the significance of the U.S. Constitution and 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, the National Museum of the Marine Corps, the National Archives, the Newseum and Mount Vernon. The emerging leaders will spend a full day at NRA Headquarters to learn more about community outreach, youth programs and political activism from NRA leaders, participate in a mock Friends of NRA event, experience basic shooting skills with NRA Certified Instructors at the NRA Range and explore the rich history of the National Firearms Museum.

While touring the D.C. area, students will participate in discussions about current events, encouraging them to learn from each other and about new issues. Additionally, they will be assigned team debate topics to foster teamwork abilities, research capabilities and leadership skills. Some of the topics discussed last year included: “Are states that do not allow constitutional carry in compliance with the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution?”; “How has the media influenced the perception that if you fit into one demographic or believe in a certain ideology then you must also believe in other, related ideologies?”; and “What impact does failing infrastructure—like roads, public drinking water systems and transit systems—have on the American people and the environment?”.

Students who excel in the week’s activities by demonstrating strong leadership, public speaking and debate skills will be awarded up to $15,000 in college scholarships at each session’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 become NRA Ambassadors by bringing back what they learned during the summit and educating their communities on NRA programs—like Eddie Eagle GunSafe®, Refuse To Be A Victim®, National School Shield™, and Friends of NRA. Finalists are chosen based on their portfolio submissions detailing their 10 month journey as NRA Ambassadors.

Congratulations to the Y.E.S. class of 2018; we look forward to meeting you in July!

To learn more about the Youth Education Summit program, visit yes.nra.org or email [email protected].