XCP Educational Newsletter - November, 2008

To request information concerning these opportunities, come to the Guidance Center and fill out a Counselor Request Form.  Write your name, homeroom number and corresponding alphabet letter of the newsletter item that you are interested in.  Check Mrs. Weglarz’s name and place in the note holder.  The information you request will be sent to you in your homeroom.

A.  Sophomores...The Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) Seminar will be held in June 4 - 7, 2009 at ASU.  This is a unique and highly interactive weekend program that introduces you to distinguished leaders of the community from various sectors such as business, technology, education, government, arts, and science.  It is a chance to get a realistic look at our nation, its people and your role within the world community.  XCP can only choose one student.  If you are interested, please give your name to Mrs. Weglarz in the Guidance Center by 7:50 AM on Tuesday, November 25, 2008. If chosen for this program, you will not be able to attend summer school.

B.  Sophomores and Juniors...The 2009 Phoenix Sister Cities Youth Ambassador Exchange Program helps to increase international awareness and to experience first hand the lifestyle and values of other cultures in a six week exchange program (three weeks abroad and three weeks home hosting over the summer).  Students represent the City of Phoenix to Calgary, Canada; Catania, Italy; Chengdu, China; Ennis, Ireland; Grenoble, France; Hermosillo, Mexico; Himeji, Japan; Prague, Czech Republic; Ramat Gan, Israel; and Taipei, Taiwan.  Deadline is December 5, 2008.

C.  All Students...The American Legion’s National High School Oratorical Contest is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States.  Awards include 1st place - $18,000; 2nd place - $16,000; 3rd place - $14,000.  Each state winner wins $1,500 and there are individual districts awards, too.  Deadline is Jan. 15.

D.  Juniors...Tempe Sister City Commission sends 28 students to Skopje, Macedonia; Regensburg, Germany; Lower Hutt, New Zealand; Zhenjiang, China; Beaulieu sur Mer, France; and Carlow, Ireland.  All expenses paid.  Must be U.S. citizen and live in Tempe.  Deadline is December 5, 2008.

E.  Sophomores and Juniors...College Horizons 2009 is a pre-college workshop for Native American students. Sessions will be held June 20-24 at Yale University (CT) or June 27-July 1 at Whitman College (WA). Must be Native American, Native Alaskan or Native Hawaiian and have a 3.00 GPA. Cost is $200.  First deadline is February 2, 2009.

F.  All Students…The National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine offers a 10-day forum in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco or Washington, D.C,  Students will meet, interact with and learn from medical leaders and research pioneers, as well as outstanding physicians and leaders in the medical community.  If you are interested in more information, please give your name to Mrs. Weglarz in the Guidance Center by Friday, November 21, 2008.

G.  All Students…Apply to be a Next Step Magazine Super Teen.  Students will have their picture on the cover of the March 2009 issue of The Next Step Magazine with other regional winners and will be featured inside the magazine. Deadline is November 28.

H.  Freshwomen and Sophomores…17th Annual Essay Contest on Ayn Rand’s Novelette Anthem.  First prize is $2,000; 5 second prizes at $500; 10 third prizes at $200; 45 finalist prizes at $50; and 175 semifinalist prizes at $30.  Deadline is March 20, 2009.

I.  Juniors and Seniors…24TH Annual Essay Contest on Ayn Rand’s Novel The Fountainhead.  First prize is $10,000; 5 second prizes at $2,000; 10 third prizes at $1,000; 45 finalist prizes at $100; and 175 semifinalist prizes at $50.  Deadline is Apr. 25.

J.  All Students…The Bill of Rights Institute is sponsoring Being an American Essay Contest. They are offering nine $5,000 prizes, nine $2,500 prizes and nine $1,250 prizes and the top 3 winners from each of nine regions also win an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C.  The essay question is “What civic value do you believe is most essential to being an American?”  Deadline is December 1, 2008.

K.  Freshwomen…The National Hispanic Institute sponsors the Great Debate – Where Champions are made. Must have a 3.25 GPA, involvement in school extracurricular activities.  Four Day and Six-Day great debates are held on various college campuses.

Final Deadline is February 27, 2009.  Cost is $360 or $415 for the 6 days.

L.  Sophomores and Juniors…The National Hispanic Institute offers the Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session. This is an 8-day leadership experience.  Must have 3.25 GPA, involved in school extracurricular activities and have an interest in community leadership service.  Located on various college campuses in June or July.  Cost is $675.  Final deadline is February 27, 2009.

M.  Juniors…Bentley University (MA) offers the 2009 Tomorrow25 International Competition.  This is a leadership program designed to honor 25 students who demonstrate leadership and accomplishment in a variety of ways, including academic excellence, initiative, citizenship, technological savvy, cultural awareness, social responsibility, a passion for the real world of people and organizations, and a commitment to making a positive change in the world around them. This year’s forum will address the theme of The Business of Healing Our World: Leveraging Innovation, Social Enterprise and Service. Winners receive an all-expenses paid trip to the Forum on April 16, 2009.  Deadline is January 15, 2009.

N. All Students and/or Parents…Ottawa University sponsors the 2008 Grand Canyon State Games Essay Contest.  This contest promotes creativity through writing as an effective method for authors of ALL ages to express their dreams and ideas for a successful like and a better community. A $2,500 scholarship is offered for one high school student.  Gold, silver and bronze medals are offered in each age category.  Deadline is January 24, 2009.

O.  Juniors…The Discover Scholarship Program awards ten $30,000 scholarships to students who demonstrate accomplishments in community service and leadership and have faced a significant roadblock or challenge.  Must have a 2.75 GPA.  Deadline is January 31, 2009.

P.  Sophomores…Telluride Association Sophomore Seminars are presented on 3 college campuses for students to pursue their interests in the histories and cultural experiences of people of African descent and other topics that address diversity in society.  June 29-August 9, 2009.  Forty-eight students are chosen. Program is free and stipend is available up to $500 to compensate for summer job. Deadline is January 14, 2009.

Q.  Juniors…The Telluride Association Summer Programs are presented at Cornell University (NY), the University of Michigan and the University of Texas at Austin. Eighteen students are chosen for each location and involve past topics such as Caribbean Dialogs [.com]; Human Rights, Cultural Rights, and Economic Rights: Views from the “Global South; The Environment and Our Health; and The History and Images of Hollywood’s Africa.  Program is offered free of charge except for transportation.  Stipend is available up to $500 to compensate for summer job. June 29-August 9, 2009.  Deadline is January 22, 2009.

R.  Sophomores…Claremont McKenna College (CA) offers the Kravis Leadership Institute 12th Annual Step Up to Leadership Program.  Sessions are June 13-18, 2009 or June 20-25, 2009.  Cost is $625.

Other available college summer programs:

S.  Juniors:  Pepperdine University (CA) - Deadline March 15, 2009.

T.  All Students: Savannah College of Art and Design (GA)

U.  Sophomores and Juniors:  Carnegie Mellon University (PA) – A Summer of Exploration

V.  Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors:  Norwich University (VT) – Leadership Challenge Weekends

W.  Freshwomen, Sophomores and Juniors: School of VISUAL ARTS (NY) – Pre-College Summer Programs