SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES
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	TELLURIDE ASSOCIATION SOPHOMORE SEMINAR (TASS) – is a FREE, six-week seminar program for thirty-six exceptionally promising high school students, co-sponsored by Telluride Association, Indiana University, and the University of Michigan. TASS seminars come from a wide array of disciplines and areas, but every seminar addresses topics relevant to historically unrepresented student groups and seek to engage race and difference as central themes in society. Interested students should visit www.tellurideassociation.org or the Career Center for more information. If you want a nomination to further a future application, provide a statement of interest and qualifications to the Career Center by Friday, 28 November 2008.
	TELLURIDE ASSOCIATION SUMMER PROGRAM (TASP) – is a FREE, six-week seminar program for high school Juniors that takes place at a major university. Students are challenged with college-level seminars – for the love of learning. Students also learn to form an intellectual and social community with others who love to read and discuss as much as they do. Interested students should visit www.tellurideassociation.org or the Career Center for more information. If you want a nomination to further a future application, provide a statement of interest and qualifications to the Career Center by Friday, 28 November 2008.
•	AIU HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMATS- brings American Sophomores and Juniors together with Japanese high school students at Princeton University for a FREE 10-day cross cultural and educational exchange. Little or no experience in Japanese language or culture is necessary. Students will experience ten days paired with a Japanese roommate and participate in group activities, cultural presentations and Japanese language instruction. The program will take place from 29 July - 8 August 2008 . Applications are in the Career Center. and require an essay, a recommendation form, and two photos. Program applications are due 7 January 2009.
•	BRONFMAN YOUTH FELLOWSHIPS IN ISRAEL (BYFI) – BYFI is a fully-endowed fellowship available to outstanding Jewish students in their Junior year of high school. This merit-based fellowship will take place from 29 June through 5 August 2009. The program is seeking diverse students with intellectual curiosity and accomplishment, response to challenge, and leadership both among peers and within established organizations. A Jewish educational background is not required. Fellows range from those who are religiously observant to those only marginally affiliated with Judaism. Apply online at www.bronfman.org. (The Career Center can tell you where to get a paper application if you need it.) Applications are due 20 January 2009. Finalists will be notified 1 March 2009.
•	CONGRESSIONAL STUDENT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE – is seeking nominations for their programs. Discover what the program has to offer at www.cslc2009.org. If you are interested, provide Mrs. Ishii with a statement from your parents allowing us to send all of your contact information, your high school graduation year and current grade to the Congressional Student Leadership Conference program.
•	EQUESTRIAN TALENT SEARCH - offers numerous opportunities for clinics, competition, and evaluation several weekends during the 2008 - 2009 year. Visit the Career Center to obtain a copy of the fliers. This is a for-fee program.
•	HUGH O’BRIAN YOUTH LEADERSHIP (HOBY) Sophomores with demonstrated or potential leadership skills take note! HOBY is one of the oldest and most prominent youth leadership organizations and is looking for 10th graders with interest in community service, courage to challenge authority, strong decision making skills, and creative problem solving skills to participate in their three day seminars. There is a $150 fee for this program. Interested Sophomores should provide a statement showing your match with the program to Mrs. Ishii by 17 November 2008. The Virginia Seminar Opportunity will be held 29-31 May 2009 at University of Richmond. For more information about go to www.hoby.org. or http://reg.hoby.org/datesevents/seminarcalendar.asp.
•	KIDZ ONLINE - offers amazing unpaid internship opportunities for students. If you want to work with video creation, technology and web-based communication, this is for you! Nortel Networks sponsors this amazing opportunity that is dedicated to help students and teachers develop 21st century communication skills by increasing their knowledge of the rapidly changing world of technology. Go to www.kidzonline.org to check out this student produced site. Even the hardware and networking is done by students! If you would like to be part of this dynamic team, contact Jeff Fissel at Jeff@kidzonline.org or Sharon Cruver at Sharon@kidzonline.org Two primary work locations are in Herndon and Reston.
•	THE OFFICER DIVERSITY RECRUITMENT PROGRAM (ODRP) is an Air Force initiative to identify quality minority students and mentor them, to help them qualify for college, enhance their ability to compete for Air Force Scholarships, and hopefully be commissioned as Second Lieutenants and to possibly become pilots. There is no obligation for military service by participating in the program and this is a FREE program. Mentors have a requirement to contact the student once a week for 15 minutes with the parent on the line. The program benefits include increased career exploration and career development opportunities, increased odds of winning educational Air Force (AF)ROTC scholarships, exposure to various aviation-centric learning opportunities, and a unique opportunity to receive guidance from aviation professionals. For more information, go to www.ORDProgram.com or call 877.691.3174. More details and parent consent forms are available in the Career Center.
•	OPERATION UNDERSTANDING DC (OUDC) – strives to build a generation of African American and Jewish community leaders who promote respect, understanding and cooperation while working to eradicate racism, anti-Semitism and all forms of discrimination. Juniors who are eager to create change and promote social justice, who are proud of their Black and/or Jewish heritage and identity, who are leaders or have leadership potential, and who are involved in their communities are encouraged to apply to join the organization. Applications and information can be found at www.oudc.org. Applications are due Wednesday, 12 November 2008. Please let Mrs. Ishii know if you are interested in viewing a short DVD about OUDC.
•	SPECIAL EDUCATION OMBUDSMEN: PARENTS SUPPORTING PARENTS – is a support service for families of students of disabilities, sponsored by Fairfax County Public Schools. Ombudsmen are parents of students who receive special education services, who can provide information about the county’s special education process and services, as well as information about regulations, procedures and policies. For more information, or to request the services of a special education parent ombudsmen, please contact the Cluster III representative Jane Thatcher, Olde Creek Elementary School, 703.246.6130, Jane.Thatcher@fcps.edu.
•	WOMEN OF DISTINCTION - is a program for high school seniors that highlights opportunities at Smith College for African American, Latina, Asian American, and Native American students. Smith will provide round-trip transportation, meals and accommodations for all participants. The program will be held 7 - 9 November 2008. Admission is competitive. Applications will be available online in August. Visit www.smith.edu to learn more about the school and to discover the application in August.
•	YOUTH LEADERSHIP GREATER WASHINGTON - Community Social and Civic Involvement. Sophomores and Juniors who attend public, private, parochial, and independent schools in the Greater Washington area, demonstrate leadership in school and/or community activities, express an interest in addressing the issues confronting their peers and furthering their knowledge of the Greater Washington area are welcome to consider applying for the program. Permission/approval from the school principal and parent/guardian are required. Student tuition is only $150 even though the program actually costs at least $1,500. No accepted applicant will be turned away for financial reasons - tuition assistance is available. Applications are due Friday, 14 November 2008. For more information, go to www.lgwdc.org. After checking the site, if you have questions, contact Kenneth Barrow at kbarrow@lgwdc.org or at 202.777.4496.

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This information is provided for your convenience and perusal. Postings do not indicate sponsorship.
Parents need to check and be satisfied with any program chosen for their children.
This web page contains links to one or more web pages that are outside the FCPS network. Neither W.T. Woodson High School nor FCPS controls the content or relevancy of these pages.
page curator: K. Ishi
last updated: 21November 2008