Doug Domenech, assistant secretary for Insular and International Affairs, has announced $400,000 in funding support for the Junior States of America (JSA) program (formerly the Junior Statesmen of America) for students from the U.S. territories and the freely associated states, according to a press release issued Tuesday by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
“The Junior State for America Foundation helps educate and prepare high school students for lifelong involvement and responsible leadership with the goal of strengthening American democracy and democratic principles in young leaders,” said Domenech. “We encourage these same principles for the students in the island areas and believe all youth — whether from the island areas or the 50 states — benefit mutually from exchanges and learning from one another.”
Through this program, four students from each insular area will attend a three-week summer school program on the campuses of Georgetown, Princeton or Stanford where they develop reading, writing, leadership and speaking skills. Funding also supports a one-week academic preparation and community project program for 65 students in the insular areas and promotes political education as well as development of local JSA chapters in the islands.