RALEIGH — The Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship is expanding its National Student Congress events to both high school and college-level students for the first time, in partnership with The Council of State Governments, the University of Kentucky Martin School of Public Policy & Administration and Transylvania University, state Rep. Garland Pierce announced.
Local high school and college juniors in Richmond County are eligible to apply to one of the programs. The week-long programs, held at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, give students the opportunity to meet with lawmakers, academics, journalists and civic leaders to discuss the practical importance of compromise, constructive engagement and dialogue to resolve conflict and competing interests in a democracy.
“I hope that the young people in the district will open themselves up to this opportunity to learn about public affairs and government,” Pierce said in a statement. “It can be a life-changing experience, and I’m excited for this opportunity to be afforded to our youth.”
Nationally recognized guest speakers will engage in seminars with the students, followed by student debates on current issues in political leadership. Past speakers include U.S. Supreme Court justices, speakers of the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. senators, governors and other nationally recognized officials and academic thought leaders.
The Student Congress programs are free — including travel and lodging — to those selected.
The Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship seeks current high school juniors and college juniors with records of exceptional academic and extracurricular achievement from all regions of the country to apply. This year, the high school program will be June 12-18; the college program will be held June 19-25.
The deadline for applications is March 31. For more information, visit www.henryclaycenter.org or contact Dr. Michael Vetter, executive director of The Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship, at [email protected].