Alec Janda , a rising senior at Gilmour Academy in Gates Mills, Ohio , was selected to participate in the National Rifle Association's annual National Youth Education Summit (YES). YES is a 7-day, expense paid educational experience in Washington, D.C. for outstanding high school sophomores and juniors. While in the nation's capital, Alec learned the significance of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights while developing an understanding of government and the importance of actively participating in it.  

(Alec receivd a $1,500 End-of-Week Scholarship.  He is pictured here with John C. da Silva, National Manager, Field Operations Division)

Alec is a member of the National Honors Society, The Cum Laude Society, The Honor Council, and The National Coalition Building Institute. He has lettered three straight years on the varsity swim team, received the highest award from the school for a sport and was captain as a junior.

Alec was introduced to the outdoors in the form of fishing by his father at the age of five, and subsequently introduced to hunting at the age of 12. He has been an avid advocate for the outdoors, supporting his local SCI chapter and attending multiple SCI sponsored camps. These include the American Wilderness Leadership School and the Advanced Apprenticed Hunter Camp. In the fall of 2007, Alec was awarded the Hunter of the Year Award by his local chapter.

In January 2009, Alec was one of two recipients of Safari Club International and Cabela's Young Hunter of the Year Award in Reno, Nevada. This prestigious award is the highest honor bestowed on a youth in the hunting community and is based on an application which required an essay (How I am a role model for hunting), academic activities, community service, and being an ethical advocate for hunter's rights and conservation.

Hunting and fishing has taken Alec to six of the seven continents. Along with hunting in Africa, Alec was involved in raising money and providing supplies for child attending the Vaalpenskraal School in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. He hunts regularly in his home state of Ohio, as well as in Texas.

Alec was recently featured as one of four youths in the "Hunter’s Handbook" in the upcoming youths section. He is a life member of SCI, a member of the NRA, National Wild Turkey Federation, United States Shooting Association, Texas Big Bucks, Quail Unlimited, and Ducks Unlimited. You can visit Alec and share his memories at his website www.allinmass.com.  

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.