News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Monica Hayes, Outreach Director

PHONE: 817-562-4957

E-MAIL: mhayes@educationinaction.org

Outstanding 4^th-8^th Grade Students Participate in 2017 Lone Star Leadership Academy Camps

One thousand two hundred seventy-four outstanding 4^th-8^th graders participated in Education in Action’s summer 2017 Lone Star Leadership Academy camps. Additionally, 28 student alumni returned to serve in a leadership role as youth facilitators. These young leaders were selected for the Lone Star Leadership Academy camps based on demonstrated academic success and leadership ability, an educator recommendation, and involvement in school/community activities. The participating students, representing communities across Texas, traveled to Dallas/Fort Worth (4^th, 5^th& 6^th graders), Austin/San Antonio (5^th, 6^th & 7^th graders), and Houston/Galveston (6^th, 7^th & 8^thgraders) to take part in the camps. From Eagle Pass, we were lucky to have 7 students from Armando Cerna Elementary, Maude Mae Kirchner Elementary, Nellile Mae Glass Elementary, and Robert E. Lee Elementary attend either the Dallas/Forth Worth, Austin/San Antonio, or Houston/Galveston Leadership Camp. The students representing Eagle Pass were:

Kristian Ayarza
Alana Ibarra
Roberto Martinez
Talia Moses
Evelyn Ponce
Zenaida Rodriguez
Jacqueline Wright

During the weeklong, overnight camps, these distinguished students developed leadership skills while learning about the great state of Texas. Participants experienced what they are learning in school through visits to notable and historically significant Texas sites. Venues included places such as the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, and the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza on the Dallas/Fort Worth program; the offices of participants’ state legislators at the Texas State Capitol, The Bullock Texas State History Museum, bat watching on the Lone Star Riverboat, and The Alamo on the Austin/San Antonio program; and NASA, a boat tour of Galveston Bay with a marine biologist, the San Jacinto Battleground Monument, and Moody Gardens on the Houston/Galveston program. In addition, professionals at sites visited introduced students to a wide variety of unique careers during each camp.

The Lone Star Leadership Academy experience provides a unique opportunity for outstanding students to learn about Texas leaders and what it means to be from the Lone Star State. Participants discuss what they learn, complete problem solving and decision-making simulations, exercise creativity, and practice presentation skills in Leadership Groups. In addition, participants have fun meeting other outstanding students and making new friends while adding to their resume of academic achievements, developing leadership skills, and bringing home a wealth of information to supplement what they are learning in school.

Education in Action is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young people to be informed and active leaders in their communities. Students involved in student government and service organizations are especially good candidates for Lone Star Leadership Academy camps. Educators are invited to nominate their outstanding 4^th-8^th graders for Lone Star Leadership Academy camps online at www.educationinaction.org/nominate. Facilitator/student ratio is one to 10 and all facilitators are Texas educators. For more information, call 817-562-4957 or visit www.educationinaction.org/lone-star-leadership-academy.

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presented by

www.educationinaction.org

10200 Alta Vista Road

Keller, TX 76244

817-562-4957

Education in Action is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young people to be informed and active leaders in their communities.