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JSA creates CNMI Scholarship Fund for island students
The Junior State of America has established a CNMI Scholarship Fund on its webpage to benefit students in the Northern Marianas as they raise funds to attend one of the program’s three-week summer courses in governance, policy making, history, and leadership. The summer classes take place in prestigious universities such as Stanford, Georgetown, and Princeton.
In a letter addressed to U.S. territory parents and students, JSA explained that donations may be made at jsa.org/donate. Benefactors are asked to designate “CNMI Summer Scholarship Fund” in the memo line of the check, or notify the program by email or phone about the designation for the online contribution.
With the community’s support, the organization said, students from all walks of life can participate in this life-changing program.
“It is important for CNMI teens, regardless of income, to receive top-notch leadership training,” they added.
The Department of the Interior awards full scholarships to four high school students to attend the program every year. Twenty-eight students from U.S. territories and Freely Associated States are awarded scholarships annually as well. However, a number of other teenagers, who are accepted to the universities’ competitive courses do not receive full financial aid and are responsible to raise money for travel, food, and room-and-board expenses.
Kagman High School is one institution whose students were accepted into JSA’s programs at Stanford and Princeton this year.
One parent, Ivan Blanco, told Saipan Tribune that he and his family were able to raise a portion of the funds, but still needs assistance to send his daughter and her peers to the mainland.
“I’m reaching out to generous benefactors in our business community to donate directly to JSA Program, a nonprofit with 501(c) designation, on behalf of the CNMI students to cover their tuition and travel costs,” he said. “…We can all rally our donors to help all of them out to go and experience the program, build their self-confidence and aspire to become better stewards and citizens.”
Since 1991, 400 students from the CNMI have attended JSA Summer Programs, often graduating with honors.
