2009 National Youth Education Summit
Since it's inception in 1996, the National Youth Education Summit, YES, has welcomed students to the D.C. Metropolitan Area from all across the country. YES is a seven-day, expense-paid educational experience for rising high school juniors and seniors. Each year, the NRA selects the best and brightest students to visit our nation's capital and learn about government, politics and leadership. A total of 45 high school students attended the 2009 program, which took place July 6-12.
While visiting NRA Headquarters in Fairfax, Va., students listened to a lecture from Pennsylvania Senior Field Representative Kory Enck about how to get involved with their local Friends of NRA while also receiving hands-on experience by attending a mock Friends of NRA event during lunch. They also learned from NRA staff in depth instruction on how to make a difference in their communities by introducing NRA programs such as the Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program, Refuse To Be A Victim® and Women On Target®.
The following day at NRA Headquarters, students received expert instruction from NRA certified instructors on the safe handling and use of firearms at the NRA Range by shooting an AR-15, Ruger .357 revolver, and Glock 9mm semi-auto pistol. Also during that time, the National Firearms Museum staff took students on a comprehensive tour of the National Firearms Museum where they gave an explanation about the history and evolution of firearms. Later on, students had the opportunity to see a special demonstration by National Firearms Museum staff entitled “Musket to Machinegun”.
Mid-week, students engaged in exciting question and answer discussions with Virginia Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, and Congressman Mark Souder from Indiana. In addition, students went on tours of the Pentagon, National Archives Museum, the Capitol, American History Museum, and various memorials in D.C. 
Later in the week, YES students partook in various activities at the Marine Corps. Base in Quantico, Va. These activities included the night-vision obstacle course and a ride on the Riverine Assault Craft. The students then went to the National Museum of the Marine Corps. For dinner, students got a taste of real Marine Corps. life by eating MREs—Meal Ready-to-Eat at the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington, Va. To close out the day, the students attended the prestigious Marine Corps. 8th and I where they saw a performance by the United States Marine Band, Drum and Bugle Corps, the Marine Corps Color Guard and Silent Drill Platoon.
On the last day, students witnessed the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Four students were chosen based on their participation throughout the week to assist the guard during the wreath-laying ceremony. After the ceremony, students went to the Robert E. Lee House and the JFK Eternal Flame before closing out their visit at Mount Vernon, George Washington’s Estate, where students finished their individual speeches and toured the land.
The week ended with the Awards Banquet, where special guest speaker, NRA Secretary Major Edward Land, spoke to students about his life changing experiences. Several students were then awarded college scholarships that ranged from $750 to $2,500. At the end, nearly all the students spoke of their experience during the week and how it changed their lives for the better.
(From left to right: Alec Janda, Adam Kroczaleski, Steven Johnson, Chad Hart, Alyssa Ferrin, Mark Edmonson, Korbin Kiblinger)
Scholarship Winners:
$2,500
Steven Johnson – Ponchatoula, La.
To qualify for the YES program, all prospective students must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. They must also be current sophomores or juniors enrolled in a credited high school or equivalent. Students should also have a clear interest in American government, history, and politics, as well as the Second Amendment and shooting sports.
NRA is now issuing a call for all young leaders interested in making a difference for the National Youth Education Summit Class of 2010. The summit will run from July 12-18, 2010. Visit www.friendsofnra.org/YES or email YES@nrahq.org for more information.
All 2009 YES Participants