The National Rifle Association hosted 45 high school students July 12-18 at its annual Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.) in Washington, D.C. The summit encourages young adults to become active and knowledgeable U.S. citizens by learning about the Constitution and the federal government.

In addition to the expenses-paid week in Washington, D.C., Y.E.S. participants compete for $30,000 in college scholarships. The first round of awards totals $10,000 and was awarded on Saturday, July 17, to the following nine students:

• $2,000: Catherine Cox (Southern Pines, North Carolina), Luke Macfarlan (Siloam Springs, Arizona), Philip Wegmann (Woodburn, Indiana)
• $1,000: Alyssa Campbell (Huber Heights, Ohio), Caleb Moore (Elizabethtown, Kentucky)
• $500: Russell Babb (Highland, Utah), Elizabeth Gonzalez (Chesterton, Indiana), Heather McCormac (Citrus Heights, California), Julia Parker (Merrimack, New Hampshire)

A second round of scholarships, called Grand Scholarships, is comprised of $20,000 and involves a second application, available to the participants after they complete the program. Since the program’s inception in 1996, more than $200,000 in scholarships has been awarded.

“The Youth Education Summit is a shining example of what Friends of NRA fundraising does for communities across the United States,” Managing Director of Field Operations Kyle Weaver said. “We are so proud to be associated with these future leaders and of their accomplishments. We look forward to their continued growth and involvement their communities after experiencing NRA’s Y.E.S. program.”

The NRA Foundation provides all funding for the Youth Education Summit through monies raised by Friends of NRA events. Friends of NRA is a grassroots fundraising program organized by local volunteers. Since the program’s inception in 1992, Friends of NRA has funded thousands of local projects that include youth education efforts, firearm training, and conservation projects.

For additional information on the Youth Education Summit, visit www.friendsofnra.org/yes, or call 1-800-672-3888, ext. 1342.