By Kim Hilsenbeck.
Summer vacation is approaching. Many high school students look forward to hanging with friends, family vacation and maybe a summer job.
Sabrina Smith, 17, looks forward to all that as well.
But this Hays High School junior is also excited about to heading to the nation’s capital. It’s not for your typical trip, however.
Sabrina is one of about 250 students across the country invited to be part of the George Mason University Youth Summit on the Environment.
Hays High School junior Sabrina Smith is one of 250 students nation wide invited to attend the George Mason University Youth Summit on the Environment this June. (Photo by Kim Hilsenbeck) |
“I’ve never gone to a different state by myself. I’m so excited,” she said.
In June, Sabrina will spend six days at the university, which is located in Fairfax, VA.
Doing what?
“Figuring out ways to change things to make the environment healthier,” she said.
What kinds of activities will the group do there?
“We will go to the national geographic museum and there’s going to be a bunch of speakers,” she said.
According to the program’s website, the summit curriculum includes hands-on learning with industry leaders including international conservation experts and Washington insiders. Students experience behind-the-scenes explorations of facilities and laboratories of the Smithsonian and National Zoo. They also participate in exclusive field visits and activities with researchers, scientists, directors and staff. Students are led in small groups by faculty advisers who are local experts in these fields and have extensive experience in conservation and the environment.
The description says, “High School National Youth Delegates will experience an integrated and forward-thinking approach to the environment, while acquiring valuable in-the-trenches knowledge.
Tuition to attend is $1,925.
How was she selected as part of the summit?
“It said on the [university] website that students are chosen by teachers [through nominations] or from the SAT/ PSAT,” Sabrina said.
On the test, she checked chemical engineer and something to do with the environment for possible college majors.
Sabrina also plays tennis, is on student council and is an officer in Smart Janes – an after school club where they talk about body image and the role of feminism in today’s society.
She is thinking about college, including universities such as Trinity, St. Edward’s and Baylor.
“But that might be too expensive,” she said.
College expenses aside, Sabrina is anticipating the trip to D.C. and excited about the Youth Summit on the Environment.
She expects to take lots of photos and promised to get back in touch to share how it went and what she learned.
