High School Leaders

The Sorensen Institute received a record 127 applications for our 2008 High School and College Leaders Programs. We received applications for both programs from every region in the Commonwealth.

Throughout the month of March, staff and Regional Board members will conduct personal interviews with applicants. Classes will be announced in April.

The College Leaders Program will run from May 31 to June 28. The High School Leaders Program runs from July 12 to July 26. Both groups will live and study on the grounds of the University of Virginia.

This is the last week to apply for the 2008 season of the Sorensen Institute's youth programs.

Click here for information and a link to the application for our College  Leaders Program.

And click here for the details and application for our High School Leaders Program.

Both programs take place on grounds at the University of Virginia this coming summer.

The deadiine is March 2. Spread the word! Apply now!

The Sorensen Institute today announced its 2008 Youth Program Managers: Jamie Lockhart, a graduate of the College Leaders Program Class of 2007, and Curtis Walton, a graduate of the College Leaders Program Class of 2006.

Our Youth Program Managers provide critical leadership roles in the success of both the College and High School Leaders Program. The Managers assist staff in numerous ways and offer valuable guidance to class participants. The Sorensen Institute selects its Program Managers from among the alumni of our College Leaders Program, and it has become an honor in itself to serve the Sorensen mission in this way. We are very proud that Jamie and Curtis will be joining us this summer.

Jamie Lockhart, CLP 2007, from Midlothian. She will graduate from James Madison University this spring with a degree in Political Science and minors in Nonprofit Studies and Political Communications. Jamie has been Valley Region Chair and VP of Membership for the Virginia Young Democrats.  She served as a Senator in the JMU student government, as an Orientation Program Assistant, and as a Resident Advisor.
 

Curtis Walton, CLP 2006, from Portsmouth. Curtis will graduate from Old Dominion University this spring with degrees in Political Science and Economics. He has served as Vice President of the Student Body at ODU and as a Peer Advisors. Curtis has also interned during the General Assembly's 2007 and 2008 sessions with Senators Ken Stolle and Harry Blevins.

Sean O'Brien, Barbara Fried, and Paul Harris at the UVA Rotunda, 7.21.07

Chairman of the State Board and a major supporter of the Sorensen Institute, Barbara Fried, spoke briefly at the HSLP 2007 graduation and delivered these concluding remarks.

Director of Youth Programs, Marc Johnson, bid a fond farewell to the members of the HSLP Class of 2007 with these remarks.

Sorensen State Board member and former Virginia Delegate Paul Harris was the keynote commencement speaker on Saturday, July 21 at the HSLP 2007 graduation.

       
            Nilam Patel                                       Erick Rison

Marc Johnson presented the Spirit of Citizenship Award to two members of the High School Leaders Program Class of 2007: Erik Rison of Patrick Henry High and  Nilam Patel of Hidden Valley High.

Colin Hood (left) of Colonial Heights High was selected by his fellow students to deliver the Class Address. He was introduced by Sorensen's Director of Youth Programs, Marc Johnson.

High School Leaders Program instructor Matt McGuire delivered the Faculty Address. "Democracy is about a lot more than just governing institutions or a flow chart," Matt said. "It's about a set of attitudes and a commitment to be engaged. I really see that in these students. And that gives all of us hope that public policy is going to continue to be in a tradition that Jefferson would be very proud of."

The Sorensen Institute's High School Leaders Program Class of 2007 graduated this past Saturday, July 21, in the Dome Room of the University of Virginia Rotunda. Executive Director Sean O'Brien welcomed those in attendance with a few brief remarks about the purpose of the program and the vision of the Sorensen Institute.