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JSA THE JUNIOR JUNIOR SlATE OM STATESMEN OF AMERICA FOUNDATION Inlllllui THE JUNIOR STATESMEN SUMMER SCHOOL cio Box 303513 • St. Thomas, VI 00803 • Tel: (340) 344.2434 • Fax: (908) 715-5510 • March 30, 2011 Cecile deJongh Manager RECEIVED Financial Trust Company, Inc. 6100 Red Hook Quarter, B-3 St. Thomas, VI 00802 Financial Trust co• Dear Mrs. deJongh: I am writing on behalf of forty (40) of the Virgin Islands' brightest students to respectfully request your support and assistance. These students were admitted to the 2011 Junior Statesmen Summer School program, and have been working feverishly with their families for the last few months to raise the funds needed for tuition and airfare. As is true of most things of real value, attending the summer school is costly. Tuition, room, board, and transportation costs approximately $4,250.00. Our students and their families are motivated, resourceful, and exceptionally hard working, but most will be unable to cover this expense through their own efforts. The financial limitations of many V.I. families, combined with the inherent difficulty of raising money in a small community almost always creates a gap between what is needed and what can be raised. The Junior Statesmen Summer School is a challenging, month-long leadership program for talented high school students held each year on the campuses of Stanford, Princeton, and Georgetown Universities. In addition, Junior Statesmen has launched its first International program, which will be held at Capital Normal University (CNU) in Beijing. Each session creates a community of young scholars and future leaders. Students take college level courses in American Government or other advanced social sciences, and also engage in activities designed to improve their communication and critical thinking skills. Participating in the Junior Statesmen program prepares students to succeed in top-tiered academic settings and greatly enhances their leadership skills. The program is in its 70 year, and over 300 Virgin Islanders have participated since 1991. As a graduate of the Virgin Islands' public schools, a Junior Statesmen alumnus, and a former Junior Statesmen Summer School program director, I can speak first hand of the lasting positive impact of this program on the students who attend. Participants leave summer school transformed, possessing a new understanding of what they can achieve as students and leaders. Many of these students have moved on to attend some of the finest universities in the nation, including Yale, Stanford, Georgetown, Duke, and Columbia! EFTA01221660  I know that you are overwhelmed with sponsorship requests each year, and you are probably asking yourself why this letter should not be filed away like many others. To answer that question, you must understand that the Junior Statesmen Summer School is much more than a field trip. It is one of many programs developed and run by the non-profit, non-partisan Junior Statesmen Foundation to further its goal of preparing young people for active citizenship and effective leadership in the future. The Foundation, and all of its programs were created to help students gain the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to successfully lead their communities. The academic courses, debates, guest speakers and community-building activities at the Summer School are all directed towards this goal. The program also instills in students a sense of obligation to put their newly acquired skills to good use. It is clearly in the community's interest that future Virgin Islands leaders be well prepared for the responsibilities they will inherit and the challenges they will face. Attending the Junior Statesmen Summer School is an early and important part of that preparation. Supporting these students would truly be an investment in the future leadership of the Virgin Islands. We hope you will join local businesses and community organizations in supporting this year's Junior Statesmen class. A donation of any amount to the Junior Statesmen Foundation would greatly support our goal of sending all students to the program this summer. If you would like to support this worthy cause, please send your contribution, made payable to The Junior Statesmen Foundation, to: Junior Statesmen do P.O. Box 303513 St. Thomas, VI 00803 One hundred percent of your donation will distributed to Virgin Islands attendees as scholarships. As a nonprofit, charitable, educational organization, the Junior Statesmen Foundation will acknowledge your donation as a tax-deductible contribution. For your information, our federal tax identification number i..M I Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. I will call your office in the next few days to follow up. If you would like to reach me, please call me at or e-mail me a Again, the Junior Statesmen Summer School provides a valuable experience for all students who attend, and represents a worthwhile investment in the future leaders of the Virgin Islands. I look forward to speaking with you, and working together to involve more students in this wonderful program. Sincerely, Marc L. Stridiron The Junior Statesmen Foundation EFTA01221661  JSA S MI an=ill/ ur ASILRICA mo n, FOUNDATION THE JUNIOR STATESMEN SUMMER SCHOOL 00 V.O. Box 303513 • St. Thomas, VI 00803 • Tel: (340) 344.2934 • Fax: (408) 715.5510 • [email protected] Student Profiles U.S. Virgin Islands Class 2011 ••••••••••••••••••••••••• sic w Ut ••••••••••••••••••••••••• EFTA01221662 '•• •• • S ••••• . ........... EFTA01221663 ......................... EFTA01221664 ......................... EFTA01221665  THE JUNIOR STATESMEN SUMMER SCHOOL FOR OUTSTANDING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS • To help students discover the joy and excitement of STANFORD, PRINCETON, independent research. AND GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITIES + To develop the students' self-confidence which is essential to effective leadership. Type ofProgram: Rigorous, College Preparatory. Academic Summer Program with Coursework Focusing on American • To develop an appreciation offreedom ofspeech. Government and Politics, Public Speaking. Debate, and Leadership. fi To help students develop time management skills and a sense ofpersonal responsibility. Participants: Boys and girls entering their junior and senior years of High School. Exceptional ninth grade students will PROGRAM OFFERINGS also be considered. The Junior Statesmen Summer School offers a rigorous academic challenge to outstanding high school students. The curriculum includes college-level courses in American government and speech Dates: June 19 - July 17 Georgetown Session 1 communication, plus an exciting, high-level political speakers program, July 17 - August 7 Georgetown Session II and nightly student debates on current issues. July 10 — July 31 Princeton Session ACADEMIC CREDIT July 3 — July 31 Princeton - A.P. U.S. History Students may obtain credit from their high school for their course work at The Junior Statesmen Summer School. These courses are June 26 — July 17 Stanford Session offered as one-semester Advanced Placement and Honors classes. At the conclusion of the session, a detailed transcript will be sent to high Program Contacts: Marc Stridiron (St. Thomas/St. John) and schools, at the request of the graduates. Ernest Morris (St. Croix) ENROLLMENT Over 1000 outstanding high school students from across the United LOCATION States attend the Junior Statesmen Summer School each year. At the There are five sessions of The Junior Statesmen Summer School. Georgetown session, most students are rising seniors. At Stanford, and Two sessions arc offered at Princeton University, in NewJersey:athree Princeton, high school students entering their sophomore, junior and week standard session and a four week session for students taking A.P. senior years may participate. About 100 students from US territories U.S. History. The two sessions held at Georgetown University in and insular areas attend each year. Washington, DC and the session at Stanford University. in Northern California lasts three weeks. Each university is within minutes of famous historical and cultural attractions that students may visit in their DAILY SCHEDULE free time. At Stanford, and Princeton. government classes are held in the morning followed by a lunch break. In the afternoons, students either BACKGROUND AND PHILOSOPHY continue their government courses or participate in other academic For over 65 years, the Junior Statesmen Summer School has activities, including guest speakers and leadership exercises. At both prepared students for responsible leadership in a democratic society. campuses, afternoon courses arc followed by a break for recreation and dinner. Student debates are held each evening. At Georgetown, there is The goals of the Summer School are as follows: no set daily schedule due to an extensive speakers program. For example, on Monday students might be in class for 3 hours, grab a To develop an appreciation and understanding ofAmerican quick lunch, jump on a chartered bus to Capitol Hill for a two hour democratic government. speakers program. followed by a short break for dinner. That evening you might be debating hot issues in Congressional Workshop. To encourage the natural idealism ofyouth while confronting At each session, classes are held six days a week. them with the realities ofpractical politics. RULES & SUPERVISION + To help students leant that a just and democratic society Adults are housed in the residence halls and are responsible for requires adherence to certain ethical principles. supervision and educational counseling around the clock. High school rules are strictly enforced. There is a curfew, at which time students + To help create an atmosphere, a challenge, and a stimulusfor must be in their own room either sleeping or quietly studying. Students the intellectual awakening of high school students. arc housed two to a room on floors segregated by gender. Students arc not allowed on the floors of the opposite sex. + To help students develop leadership skills. SESSION HIGHLIGHTS + To teach students techniques oforal communication, After a campus tour, university admissions officials meet with argumentation, andpersuasion. interested students to discuss their institution's admission policies, financial aid, housing, student life and academic offerings. To confront a diverse group ofyoung people with the Parties, dances. and a talent show are also held during each session. challenge of living together in an independent environment. + To encourage logical and critical thinking. EFTA01221666 CULTURAL EXCURSIONS DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR SCHOLARSHIPS On Sundays. students and faculty may visit nearby cultural and historical attractions. In Washington. for example, trips to the For over fifteen years, through grants from the U.S. Department of the Smithsonian and other landmarks arc encouraged. Stanford session Interior, twenty outstanding high school student leaders from five students may go to San Francisco for the day. Princeton students enjoy insular areas - the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa. the Republic of attractions in New York City. Palau. Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas - are selected for scholarships which cover full tuition and round trip airfare FACILITIES to the Junior Statesmen Summer School session of their choice. These Summer School students reside in a university dormitory and use Interior Department Scholarships are awarded by a Junior Statesmen university classrooms, libraries, and recreational facilities. Students Foundation committee. Scholarship decisions are based on an may take advantage of recreational facilities on each campus: some applicant's academic achievements, leadership potential and interest or charge a participation fee. Recreational activities include swimming, involvement in politics and community affairs. tennis, basketball, and volleyball. APPLICATION PROCEDURES: STAFF, Applicants submit an application form (printed in the Summer School The Junior Statesmen Summer School faculty, resident assistants brochure), a one-page personal essay, a one-page essay on a political or and staff members arc drawn from some of the best universities in the social issue of the student's choosing, an official high school transcript. United States. Government professors are outstanding political and two teacher recommendations. Interviews will be conducted with scientists with a Ph.D. Speech instructors have at least a Master's ALL APPLICANTSfor admissions and scholarship consideration. Degree and arc dedicated to excellence in their own classroom teaching and in the oral and written work of their students. Resident Assistants Completed applications must be turned in to your school's guidance are college undergraduate or graduate students who have attended a counselor prior to the deadline. previous session of the Summer School. Faculty, resident assistants, and staff live in the university residence PLEASE DO NOT MAIL INDIVIDUAL APPLICATIONS! near the students and are responsible around the clock for their supervision and academic counseling. DEADLINESZ Scholarship applications from the U.S. Virgin Islands MUST BE RELIGIOUS LIFE RECEIVED BY THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16,2010. Scholarship Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish services arc held on campus or recipients will be announced by two weeks after the deadline. We strongly recommend that you retain copies of all application nearby. Transportation to religious services is not provided, however, resident assistants will be happy to help students make arrangements to materials after submission. get to and from religious services. Note: This deadline is for students who want to be considered for the full DOI scholarships. Students who miss the deadline may still apply TRANSPORTATION for Summer School admission until April 30, but they will not be As long as they arrive on opening day of Summer School, students eligible for any scholarships. arc met at local airports and transported to campus by chartered bus or van At the conclusion of the session, they will be transported to the TYPE OF STUDENTS WE A RE SEEKING: airport for their trip home. Top Students, socially mature, self-confident leaders. The Summer School course work is extremely rigorous, so only the best students are CosTs accepted for admission. You do not have to be a U.S. Citizen to be Tuition, including room and board, for the 2010 Summer School is admitted to the Summer School. but you must write and speak fluent $4,500 for all sessions. English. Round trip transportation to the Summer School, personal school STUDENT COMMENTS: supplies, souvenirs, access to recreational facilities (if the university "Experiencing the Junior Statesman Summer School at Princeton University was charges a fee), laundry, and some off-campus meals are not included in one ofthe mostMilling experiences ofmy aft. During my time Mere I learned tuition. At least $150 (depending on the session) is recommended for wiluabk oratoryskills as how to approach writingfrom a theoretical viewpoint. spending money. Whether your passion is auto mechanics, cosmetology, or politics. learning to read and write in a *my that you not only convey a message but do it with DEPOSIT conviction is a summer well spent." --Lennox Mark, St. Croix Educational Complex A $50 non-refundable deposit is required upon acceptance. The Princeton Summer School 2007 balance of the tuition is due two weeks before the program. All of the tuition paid by the student and their parents is refundable until two "1wonted to attend to the Jr. Statesman Summer School Program mainly weeks before the start of the Summer School. because / wanted to gain the confidence needed to become a better public speaker. With hard work and determination and a wonderful speech teacher I VA MAMA information ninny. nontont Mara Ctritlinrso as am now happy to say that I have achievedmy goal. It was the best experience ofmy left. It was hard to get through sometimes but !finished and! learned so much. I would definitely recommend this program to students but I would warn then, that lthey are not willing to work hard then they shouldnot consider It". You may also visit the following website for additional --Haley Mick, St. Croix Educational Complex information: Yale Summer School 2007 hapdwwwfsa.oresummer EFTA01221667  Young Debaters Hone Power of Language hup://sithotnassource.cotWprint/840 ern MIT 1 /NAN _Q/ 17" inn r' I VIV.ILL k../k1k).1 .1A_LIU Published on St. Thomas Source (http://stthomassource .com) Young Debaters Hone Power of Language an a "II While the loudmouths and troublemakers often steal the attent ion, one group of local teens is working hard to have a say in their world and put their generation in a positive light. Articulate and bubbling with confidence, the 20 stude nts from Charlotte Amalie High School, Ss. Peter and Paul, and Antille s School gathered in the CAHS library Saturday to learn and to practice how to participate in civic debate and discussion as part of a mini-conference of the nationwide Junior State of America rose A big part of the five-hour event -- a warm-up and motiva national summer conferences many have already attend ting taste of the ed at Princeton, Georgetown and Stanford universities — is to "help students find their voice," said Marc Stridiron, the organizer of the conference. "It is appropriate to disagree without being disagreeabl e," he told the students as their day of debate and discussion began Saturday under the Junior State of America logo, which reads, "... because democracy is not a spectator sport." "Listening is as important as, or more important than, speaking," Stridiron said. The Junior State of America, or JSA, touts itself as the largest student-run, nonpartisan civics organization in the United States. Stridlron said it fosters critical thinkin g, hones presentation skills and exposes students to new ideas. The students seemed to get that as well as their mento r had hoped. Even though, as he said, public speaking ranks up there on the fear scale with "shark attacks and earthquakes," they took each other on in front of their peers, presenting convincing arguments for and against a school voucher system for the U.S. Virgin Islands and the recent national health care reform bill approved by Congress and President Obama. "By improving our schools we improve our students, which will only improve our society," said one student arguing for increased competition that she said a vouch er-based education system would bring. Arguing for a repeal of the health care law, took a conservative tack. "At its core, what Obama-care really means is a loss of freedom," she said, going on to cite statistics on deficits and insurance rates and quote the online versio n of the National Review magazine. After presenting arguments, counter-arguments and then supporting arguments for both sides after a caucus, they voted on each matter, congratulating each other for their presentations and discussing how they could improve. "This is one of the best groups we've had," Stridiron said as the debates moved along with little or no guidance or prodding. "We will not be losing freedom," said 15-year-old have already lost freedom and we need to get it back," I defending the new health care law. "We she said. 1 of 2 3/3/2011 11:38 PM EFTA01221668