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Forty-five outstanding current high school sophomores and juniors from across the United States are chosen each year to travel to the nation’s capital, where they participate in the weeklong educational opportunity. The summit encourages young adults to become active and knowledgeable U.S. citizens by learning about the Constitution and Bill of Rights, the federal government, and the importance of being active in civic affairs.  The 2012 summit will take place Monday, June 25 - Sunday, July 1.

Activities on the schedule include:
  • Guest speakers at NRA Headquarters and the National Firearms Museum
  • Competitive debates with other high school students from across the nation
  • Informative tours at historic sites and monuments in and around Washington, D.C.
  • Meeting national leaders from Capitol Hill and around Washington, D.C.
In addition to the week in Washington D.C., Y.E.S. participants compete for $30,000 in college scholarships. The first round of awards totals $10,000 and is given at the conclusion of the Y.E.S. program. A second round of scholarships is comprised of $20,000 and involves a second application, available to the participants after they go through the Y.E.S. program.
 
Since the program’s inception in 1996, more than 630 students have graduated from Y.E.S. and over $340,000 in scholarships has been awarded. Entry into the program requires submission of a completed application form, high school transcript, three-page essay on the Second Amendment, one-page personal statement, and three letters of recommendation.  Below are the participants for the 2012 Y.E.S. program. 
 
2012 Y.E.S. Participants
 
Kemper Gokmen – Huntsville, Alabama
Jeffrey Dow – Anchorage, Alaska
Sicily Wilcock – Mesa, Arizona
Jace Motley – Conway, Arkansas
Jessica Chitkuer – Fullerton, California
Brooke Lane – Hudson, Colorado
Alex Kaper – Mahomet, Illinois
Peter Dykhuizen – Plainfield, Illinois
Adam Weil – Evansville, Indiana
Elizabeth Barringer – Indianapolis, Indiana
Megan Hilbish – Emporia, Kansas
Clay Parker – Pine Grove, Louisiana
Mindy Downing – Brownville, Maine
Aiden Koplovsky – Duxbury, Massachusetts
Rudy Simpson – Whittemore, Michigan
Emily Trout – Cohasset, Minnesota
Dillon Hall – Saltillo, Mississippi
Nora Faris – Concordia, Missouri
Nicholas Radzykewycz – Park City, Montana
Kaytlyn Leonard – Liberty, North Carolina
Kyle Pletan – Dickinson, North Dakota
Eli West – Omaha, Nebraska
Sean Foley – Freehold, New Jersey
Emily Allen – Edgewood, New Mexico
Samuel Evans – New Woodstock, New York
Miranda Sternsher – Clarksville, Ohio
Nicholas Johnson – Owasso, Oklahoma
Bethany Janzen – Happy Valley, Oregon
Benjamin Barnes, Jr – Roseburg, Oregon
Kendra Lathrop – Gillett, Pennsylvania
Dominic Montemurro – Tarentum, Pennsylvania
Kaitlin Heitmann – Faulkton, South Dakota
Andrew Raves – Germantown, Tennessee
Michael Garner – Celina, Texas
Taylor Hart – Cedar Hills, Utah
Caitlin Hester – Colchester, Vermont
Hunter Bolan – Keysville, Virginia
Sydney Smith – Wayne, West Virginia
Kjersti Buckley – Upton, Wyoming
 
 
For additional information on the 2012 Youth Education Summit or how to apply next year, please call 1-800-672-3888, ext. 1342 or email yes@nrahq.org.  
 
Since 1996, over 630 students have graduated from Y.E.S.  Every year, students travel from states as far as Alaska to as close as Virginia.  Although students come from different backgrounds and cultures, everyone shares common interests in history, government, and the United States Constitution.  Whether a student aspires to be a doctor, lawyer, politician or soldier, each student is encouraged to become an active and knowledgeable citizen.
Although Y.E.S. is an experience of a lifetime, the main mission of Y.E.S. is to support future leaders of our country in their endeavors to finance college.  Over $340,000 has been awarded in scholarships since Y.E.S.’s inception in 1996.  Approximately $10,000 is awarded after Y.E.S. week to those who excel during the week’s activities, and another $20,000 is awarded to those who complete the Grand Scholarship application.
 
 
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We are currently accepting applications from qualified high school sophomores and juniors to participate in the National Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.) from June 25 - July 1, 2012.  Application deadline is February 1, 2012.
 
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If you really loved your time at Y.E.S. and want to come back as an alumni chaperone we'd love to have you!  Or are you looking to give a charitable donation to the Y.E.S. endowment?  This is your destination.
 
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Currently Alaska, North Carolina and Pennsylvania sponsor a state Y.E.S. If you are from one of these states you must attend the state summit before attending the national summit. If you're interested in starting a state Y.E.S. learn more here.
 
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