JSA Summer School, Winter Congress scholarships available for students

A representative of the Junior State of America, or JSA, is on island to discuss available Department of the Interior scholarships for the JSA Summer Programs and the JSA Winter Congress.

Ed Banayat, JSA foundation territory program director, told Saipan Tribune this is his second visit to the islands.

“In the past, JSA has had many talented students from several high schools in the CNMI attend life-changing JSA Summer Programs and the JSA Winter Congress as Department of the Interior scholarship recipients,” he said. “These students are future leaders and difference makers in the community.”

Banayat noted that four full-ride scholarships for the JSA Summer Programs and two full scholarships for the JSA Winter Congress program are available to high school students on island.

He has already visited a number of public and private high schools on island, and will be holding a parent and student information session this Friday. The session is from 4pm to 6pm in a classroom at the Marianas High School Gym.

“Interested high school students, parents, teachers and counselors are encouraged to attend,” he said.

Tuition, which covers all academic expenses, housing and meals for the month, is $4,950 and $5,350 for the University of Virginia programs. Scholarships include tuition and transportation to and from the programs.

JSA Summer Programs and Winter Congress 

Four sessions of the JSA Summer School program are conducted in university campuses such as Stanford, Princeton, the University of Virginia, and Georgetown. 

At the summer school session, students experience college level courses in Government and Speech, while developing and polishing their leadership skills. 

According to a news release, the highlight of each Summer School session is a high level speakers program that gives students a chance to meet and question elected officials, judges, reporters, political campaign consultants, and others in the political arena.

In addition to daily and weekend classes, students will engage in debates covering controversial political issues—a simulation of the debates held in the U.S. Congress—known as a Congressional Workshop.

Banayat said that admission to JSA Summer School is very competitive.

“Admission decisions are based on an applicant’s academic achievement, leadership, and interest in politics or government.”

To apply, students submit an official high school transcript, two personal essays, and a letter of recommendation from a counselor or an academic teacher.

For the past 24 years, the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs has offered full tuition and transportation scholarships to the Junior Statesmen Summer School to outstanding high school students in U.S. territories.

As part of JSA’s Winter Congress program in Washington, D.C., a two-day simulation of Congress will be held allowing students to meet as members of a simulated U.S. House of Representatives, as well as a simulated U.S. Senate.  

Students from the U.S. territories and Freely Associated States will participate with their peers from the U.S. Mid-Atlantic States. Students will also be able to draft mock legislation and debate the legislation amongst the participants.  

Banayat said the Winter Congress program offers a cultural experience where students will meet with their legislators in Washington, D.C., tour monuments and museums, and visit historical sites.

In addition to the program, Department of the Interior scholarships include transportation to and from the program. 

To apply, students must complete a 750-word essay: “What is the most important policy issue facing the 113th Congress, and what should they do to address it?”