As the NRA Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.) celebrates its 30th anniversary, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the lasting impact the program has had on alumni across the country. Nearly 800 students have attended the program, and this year we’re excited to surpass that milestone.
The NRA Y.E.S. program is a leadership and scholarship opportunity designed for high school sophomores and juniors who are eager to learn more about American government, the Constitution, and the importance of civic engagement. Since its founding in 1996, Y.E.S. has helped shape the next generation of leaders through immersive educational experiences, hands-on learning, and scholarship opportunities.
As a highly competitive program, Y.E.S. challenges students to develop their skills in leadership, advocacy, debate, and critical thinking. For many participants, the week-long experience becomes a defining moment that inspires their academic paths, career goals, and commitment to making a difference.
In celebration of 30 years of Y.E.S., hear directly from alumni as they share how the program shaped their journeys—and where it has taken them today.
Brent H. | Y.E.S. Class of 2017 | Montana
Since attending Y.E.S. in 2017, Brent has pursued a career in healthcare driven by a desire to serve others. He attended Montana State University, earning his nursing degree in 2022. He is currently working toward his Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and ultimately plans to become an emergency room nurse practitioner. After completing his doctorate, Brent hopes to serve as a provider in a rural hospital, delivering critical care to underserved communities across Montana.
Reflecting on his experience, Brent shares, “Y.E.S. provided me with a strong foundation as I began my journey into adulthood. The peers I met and the friendships I formed still hold steady today — we even have a group chat where we keep each other updated on our adventures and milestones.”
He credits the program with deepening his understanding of American history and culture while reinforcing the importance of protecting constitutional rights and core American values. “My week in D.C. in 2017 wasn’t the end of the NRA’s influence on my development,” Brent explains. “For about a year and a half afterward, I continued writing articles for Traditions magazine. That experience strengthened my writing and communication skills, which proved invaluable throughout college as I tackled countless research papers and assignments.”
Today, Brent sees a direct connection between his Y.E.S. experience and his work in healthcare. “The advocacy skills I developed at Y.E.S. have carried over into my career,” he says. “As a healthcare provider, I advocate daily for the rights and well-being of my patients.”
Though he remains focused on completing his doctorate, Brent hopes to broaden his impact in the near future by exploring opportunities to advocate for improved patient care at both the state and federal levels.
Robert B. | Y.E.S. Class of 2006 | Georgia
Robert is currently in his 16th year in law enforcement and serves as a police lieutenant in a suburb of Atlanta. In addition to his leadership role, he is a police instructor specializing in Firearms, Use of Force, and Response to Active Shooter. Outside of work, Robert is an avid gun collector, competitive shooter, participating in USPSA, Cowboy Action, and multi-gun matches, and a partner in a small FFL/SOT business.
Reflecting on his experience at Y.E.S., Robert says the program played a major role in shaping his ability to work with others. “The skills for interacting with adults and engaging with the public were influenced more by Y.E.S. than anything I learned in school,” he explains.
“Y.E.S. pushed me out of my comfort zone. It helped me become more comfortable with public speaking and debate, and it taught me how to meet and interact with people I had never known before.”
Through the program, Robert also gained a new perspective on the firearms community. “Before Y.E.S., I assumed it was a fairly homogenous group,” he shares. “But I learned it’s actually a very diverse community of people united by a shared passion and common interest.”
One of Robert’s favorite memories from the program was attending the 8th and I Parade at the Marine Barracks in Washington D.C., where he had the opportunity to watch the Marines perform which left a lasting impression.
Hays T. | Y.E.S. Class of 2019 | Virginia
Hays attended the Virginia NRA Youth Education Summit in the summer of 2018 in Richmond and went on to participate in the National NRA Youth Education Summit in the summer of 2019. She graduated from High Point University last May with a degree in political science, a path inspired by her experiences at the Youth Education Summits.
During her time at High Point, Hays embraced every opportunity that came her way, ultimately leading to her current role as a Congressional staffer in a district office. She also gives back to her community by running the Amherst County, Virginia 4-H Shooting Education Program and is an active member of Lynchburg Arms Ladies.
Hays shares, “I grew up around shooting, but my involvement in the Virginia Youth Education Summit solidified my passion for the Second Amendment.” Shortly after participating in the Virginia Y.E.S. program, she began competitively shooting and joined her local 4-H Shooting Education club.
“I left both Y.E.S. experiences transformed, with a new sense of purpose, leadership, and commitment to the Second Amendment.” Through her participation, Hays received scholarships from both the Virginia Y.E.S. and National Y.E.S. programs. At National Y.E.S., she was named “Most Likely to Work at the NRA” and “Miss Y.E.S.” In the following year, she continued pursuing the program’s opportunities and ultimately earned the Grand Scholarship, receiving $15,000.
“The bond we formed through Y.E.S. runs deep. Shared values have a way of keeping people connected, and I still keep in touch with many of the individuals and leaders I met during my experience.”
Her advice for the Y.E.S. Class of 2026:
“Embrace every opportunity, every conversation, and every friendship. The experience you have during this week will shape your perspective and influence your future in ways you may not realize.”
Applications for the 2026 NRA Youth Education Summit are closed but stay tuned for the 2027 application to open this fall! https://yes.nra.org/
