The Profiles in Courage essay contest, which takes place yearly, asks high school students from across the country to write an original essay about an elected official who has demonstrated political courage. Winners of the contest will receive awards totaling up to $13,500. The deadline to submit is January 7. For more information, see the contest's website!

Help Stop School & Youth Violence!

6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Students, Teachers, and Parents

Questions to Consider:

• How does violence affect your daily lives?
• Where are you confronted by violence? Your home? Your school? Your neighborhood?
• What are some of the causes of youth violence in your community?
• What can you as an individual do to reduce youth violence in your community?

The “Do the Write Thing” program challenges students to reduce violence and its impact on their lives.

All across America, students are rising to the challenge of doing something to end youth violence. The Do the Write Thing Challenge gives middle school students an opportunity to examine the impact of youth violence on their lives. Through classroom discussions and writings, students communicate what they think should be done to reduce youth violence. In addition, they make personal commitments to do something about this problem.

By emphasizing personal responsibility, the DtWT program also educates adults about the causes of youth violence. Local community groups promote the program at the grassroots level so that teachers, school administrators, parents, coaches, and young people can bring youth violence into the open, where it can be examined and talked about in a constructive way. When students accept the Challenge, they become messengers for their own thoughts and ideas, which are ultimately more powerful than violence. We say to students, “Accept the Do the Write Thing Challenge. Who knows where it will lead?”

To get involved email  Do the Write Thing - Boston  

NTLP announces cash Achievement Awards at all camps in 2011!

In honor of our 20^th Anniversary, NTLP will award $3000 to Top Achievers, Community Service activists, essayists and video story-tellers at each camp location!

NTLP is proud that in our 20-year history, we have distributed over $160,000 in cash awards to students who are excelling in leadership and life! Students all over the country are doing amazing work; excelling in academics, dominating the sports scene, contributing to their community and striving to be the best they can be in their personal endeavors.  NTLP wishes to award their achievements and announce their successes to the world!  Aren't you tired of the negative press that surrounds the word "Teen"?  Let's show our communities all the great work being done by teens today.  Awards are open to ALL teens attending one of our 2011 programs.  Go here to learn more.

Summer 2011 is fast approaching!

The time to sign up is now!

We are just six weeks away from our Loyola Marymount program and Boston and CSU Sacramento are not far behind.  Lots of information will be coming shortly to all our registered students so if you haven't signed up to attend, now is the time!  Please note that universities will be requiring that we release rooms that are not being utilized and we want to be sure we have space for all those who wish to attend.  Visit our website to register now at one of our three exciting locations and experience one of the most motivating, exciting and enriching experiences you will not soon forget! 

National Teen Leadership Program
101 Parkshore Dr.
Folsom CA 95630
http://www.ntlp.org
800-550-1950
916-244-7095 (fax)
916-932-2338

The National Teen Leadership Program is a 501©3 non profit organization.
NTLP celebrates 20 years of leadership program excellence in 2011!
  
We have our dates and locations for 2011!

The Dorchester Day Parade Committee is hosting an annual essay contest open to all Dorchester residents in the 6th through 10th grade or students that attend a Dorchester school. Two (2) prizes will be awarded to the winning essays that are chosen from a panel of local judges. Please fill out the attached registration form below and mail it with your essay to the committee chair. A completed registration form and essay must be postmarked by March 12, 2011 to be considered for a prize.

1.) The student must be a Dorchester resident or attend a Dorchester school.
2.) The essay must be written on just one of these Dorchester historical figures:
William Munroe Trotter (1872-1934) or Maria Cummins (1827-1866).
3.) The essay must be between 500–600 words for the 6th through 8th grade
and 800–900 words for the 9th and 10th grade students.
4.) Only one essay accepted per student.
5.) The essay must be typed and double spaced.
6.) The essay and entry form must be postmarked by March 12, 2011.
7.) Sorry, no e-mailed submissions will be accepted. They must be mailed.

The (2) prizes will be awarded during the Annual Dorchester Day Kick-off Dinner held at the First Parish Church in Dorchester on March 24, 2011. The winners are required to attend and will be invited to read their winning essays.

With questions, contact Edward Geary, Jr., Chairman, at (617) 265-5376 or essay@dotdayparade.com. Mail the completed entry form and essay postmarked no later than March 12, 2011, to:
Dorchester Day Essay Contest
PO Box 220145
Dorchester, Ma 02122

Creative Capital's next grant round, for Film/Video and Visual Arts, will open on February 1, 2011.

To be eligible to apply, an artist must be:

A U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
At least 25 years old
A working artist with at least five years of professional experience
Not a full-time student
Though the Inquiry Form will not be available until February 1, complete grant guidelines are now available on our website. We will also be hosting info sessions online and in select cities nationwide.

About the Projects We Fund
Creative Capital provides integrated financial and advisory support to artists pursuing innovative and adventurous projects. Acting as a catalyst for the development of exceptional and imaginative ideas, we support artists whose work is provocative, timely and relevant; who are deeply engaged with their artforms and demonstrate a rigorous commitment to their craft, yet are also boldly original and push the boundaries of their genre; who create work that carries the potential to reshape the cultural landscape.

About the Application Process
To apply for a Creative Capital grant, an artist must first submit an online Inquiry Form regarding his or her project. The Inquiry Form for Film/Video and Visual Arts will be available on the Creative Capital website on February 1, 2011. Inquiry Forms must be submitted by March 1, 2011. After the Inquiry phase, selected applicants will advance through two further application phases during the year, and grantees will be announced in January 2012. The Inquiry Form will reopen in February 2012 for Emerging Fields, Innovative Literature and Performing Arts.

About the Inquiry Form
Applying artists should be prepared to describe how a grant would be a catalyst for artistic and professional growth at this time, the influences that inform their work, and how their work takes an inventive and original approach to form and content. The Inquiry Form also asks for a total budget figure and for artists to identify audience(s) for their project and any possible presenting venues.

Questions? Email grants@creative-capital.org.