Earlier this summer I had the pleasure of competing for scholarship money in the NRA’s annual 2018 Youth Education Summit. The mission of the Y.E.S. program is to educate high school students about government, civic duties, leadership, our history, and Constitution as well as a proper defense of the Second Amendment.
My competition was fierce, but I was chosen as Indiana’s sole representative to compete with fifty other students from around the country. I was blessed to earn a spot and participate in their week-long competition in Washington, D.C.
All expenses were paid for by the NRA. During the week, we participated in tours of the Capitol Building, monuments and the Smithsonian Institute to name but a few. Competitions included debates, impromptu speeches and other leadership activities. For many students this was their first time in Washington, D.C. Its impact cannot be underestimated.
I am now pursuing the YES/NRA’s Grand Scholarship of $25,000. I will not forget the many friends I made while in D.C. The experience is one I will keep with me forever. I highly recommend the NRA/YES program to any sophomores and juniors interested. If you would like more information on this once in a life-time experience, please feel free to contact me. I would be eager to speak to any civic organization, parent association, youth group and other events about this great program. Opportunities like this do not come every day and I would hate to see any hardworking teen miss this one.
—Thomas Wegmann
eweg41@gmail.com
