As we celebrate the successful conclusion of the 2024 NRA Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.), we reflect on a week filled with invaluable learning experiences, personal growth, and new opportunities for our participants.
Y.E.S. is an all-expense-paid trip to the Washington, D.C. area which rising high school juniors and seniors apply to attend. During the week, the attendees engaged in various current event discussions and participated in competitive debates to enrich and inspire the future leaders of our nation.
During the visit to NRA headquarters, students had the opportunity to shoot at the NRA Range, which they noted as one of the standout activities of the Summit. At the range, students had the chance to shoot a variety of firearms, from a .22 handgun to an M1. This activity was a major highlight with one student stating he checked many firearms he’d love to shoot off his bucket list.
Beyond the range, students explored Capitol Hill, several museums including the National Archives Museum, and visited numerous memorials and monuments throughout the Washington D.C. area including a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Participants also had the privilege of hearing from several esteemed NRA speakers, including Doug Hamlin, Executive Vice President and CEO of the NRA; Tyler Schropp, Executive Director of The NRA Foundation; Nick Perrine, NRA Director of Executive Operations; and Bill Bachenberg, NRA First Vice President and renowned businessman.
A major component of the NRA Youth Education Summit is the mock debate. Leading up to the summit, students work diligently within their debate groups, conducting research on a specific topic and a stance to defend, requiring extensive teamwork and preparation. Debate topics included, "Artificial Intelligence Should Be Utilized by The Government", "Students Should Be Allowed to Carry Firearms on College Campuses”, and “The U.S. Should Be Involved in Foreign Wars.”
The students' participation in these debates was particularly impressive, showcasing their intelligence, preparation, teamwork, and enthusiasm. The End-of-Week Scholarships were determined by their performance in debates, overall participation throughout the week, current events discussion, attentiveness, and willingness to learn among other factors. Our End-of-Week Scholarship winners were students from Alabama, California, New York, and Virginia.
Many students expressed their gratitude, sharing how they made lifelong memories and will never forget the experience provided by the NRA. For many, it was their first time in the nation’s capital, giving them a deeper understanding of American history. This incredible week was made possible by the hard work and dedication of our Friends of NRA Committees and Field Representatives who covered the attendees’ expenses.
Now that the Summit has come to an end, students are encouraged to begin their Grand Scholarship application, which highlights the true grassroots aspect of this program. Y.E.S. students returned to their communities with a solid grasp of NRA programs and the shooting sports, and the motivation to introduce these programs locally. Popular programs to bring back home include safety programs such as the Eddie Eagle Gunsafe® Program, Refuse to be a Victim®, and Women on Target®. Students have 10 months to promote gun safety and education, after which they compile a portfolio documenting their efforts. This portfolio serves as their application for the Grand Scholarship, which features a total prize pool of over $20,000.
Thank you to Henry USA, CZ USA, Colt, Ruger, and Walther Arms for their generous donations to the Y.E.S. program. The students’ backpacks were filled with exciting items that will be cherished for years to come! And a special thank you to our T-shirt sponsor, Farm and Firearms, who donated the bright red “Lead the Legacy” shirts!
Do you know a rising junior or senior who might be interested in the NRA Youth Education Summit? Applications for the 2025 program open in Fall 2024. To learn more about the program, visit https://yes.nra.org/. Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @NRAYouthEducationSummit for updates and more information.
