DOI offers Junior Statesmen scholarships

The U.S. Department of the Interior is encouraging top high school student leaders, grades 10-11, to apply for one of three full scholarships being offered by DOI to attend a Junior Statesmen Summer School session in the States.

The scholarships cover all tuition costs and round trip transportation to the summer school of the students’ choice.

Summer school students take exciting college level courses in American Government and Speech, while they develop and polish their leadership skills.

Monthlong sessions of the Junior Statesmen Summer School are conducted on the prestigious university campuses of Stanford (near San Francisco), Northwestern (near Chicago), Princeton University (near New York), Yale (near New York), and Georgetown (in Washington, D.C.).

Junior Statesmen Summer School

Highlighting each summer school session is a high level speakers program which gives students a chance to meet and question legislators, other elected officials, judges, reporters, political campaign consultants, and others in the political arena.

Each night, summer school students debate controversial political issues in a simulation of the United States Congress.

Admission to summer school is competitive. Admission decisions are based on an applicant’s academic achievement, leadership, and interest in politics or government. To apply, students submit a copy of their high school grades, a three-page personal essay, a recommendation form from a counselor or teacher and a scholarship application.

Tuition, which covers all academic expenses, housing and meals for the month, is $3,875. Transportation to the school is not included in the tuition.

For 14 years, DOI has offered full tuition and transportation scholarships to the Junior Statesmen Summer School to outstanding high school students in Guam, the CNMI, the Republic of Palau, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa; three scholarships per insular area.

In the past 14 years, 304 students from Guam, 285 students from the CNMI, and 148 students from the Republic of Belau have attended The Junior Statesmen Summer School.

The deadline for Republic of Palau student applications is Feb. 28, 2006; for the CNMI, application deadline is March 28; Guam application deadline is April 7. DOI scholarship decisions are made by The Junior Statesmen Summer School Admissions Committee.

Junior Statesmen Summer School

Department of Interior Scholarship Award decisions are based on an applicant’s academic achievement, leadership, and interest in politics or government as exhibited in the Summer School application materials (essay, transcript, and teacher recommendation) along with the scholarship application.

Karen Prosser, Territorial Recruiter for the Junior Statesmen Summer Programs will visit the CNMI from Monday, Feb. 27, through Monday, March 6; Prosser will visit Guam from Tuesday, March 7, through Tuesday, March 14, to recruit outstanding students for the Summer School and Department of the Interior Scholarships.

During her visit, Prosser will meet with interested students and school officials at each high school as well as parents, political officials and community leaders.

For more information about Junior Statesmen Summer School and Interior Department scholarships, contact in Saipan: Christi Omengabar at 285-2362, or Jeff Schorr at the Interior Office at 234-8861.

In Guam, contact Associate Superintendent Eloise Sanchez 671/475-0446. In the Republic of Belau, contact Joyce Isechal 680/488-6509. (PR)