Youth Programs

Accepting Youth Program Applications Through March 5th

coy — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:39:47 -0500

The Sorensen Institute of Political Leadership is now accepting applications for the High School and College Leaders Programs. The High School and College Leaders Programs offer advanced, concentrated study in state and local politics, gaining hands-on training in politics, acquiring the information necessary to discuss Virginia politics and the skills to make a difference.

Students in the Sorensen Institute programs engage in substantive debate about challenges facing the Commonwealth. Students have the opportunity to learn key advocacy skills such as lobbying, fundraising, opinion writing, media and more. Students interact with Virginia's current public, private, and nonprofit leaders. Past speakers have included U.S. Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner, Governor Bob McDonnell, Governor Tim Kaine, members of the General Assembly, Congressional leaders and other policy makers from around Virginia.

Positions Open: Now Hiring Youth Program Managers

coy — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:39:29 -0500

Youth Program Manager
Position Announcement

The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership is seeking applicants to be Youth Program Manager in the summer of 2012 for its College and High School Leaders Programs.

Both programs are residential at the University of Virginia. The College Leaders Program runs for four weeks from May 26 to June 23, 2012, while the High School Leaders Program runs from July 7 to 21.

HSLP 2011: Day 14-Friday, July 22

Rachel Casebolt — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 22:51:00 -0400

High School Leaders Program
Day 14 - July 22, 2011
Reported by: Anna Paden Carson, Patrick Henry High School and Daniel Aboagye, Colonial Forge High School

HSLP 2011: Day 13-Thursday, July 21

Rachel Casebolt — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 22:28:12 -0400

High School Leaders Program
Day 13 - Thursday, July 21
Reported by: Irene Koo, Deep Run High School and Victor Reczkowski, Patrick Henry High School

HSLP 2011: Day 12-Wednesday, July 20

Rachel Casebolt — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 22:06:04 -0400

High School Leaders Program
Day 12- Wednesday, July 20th
Reported by: Raleigh Matteo, Maggie L. Walker Governor's School and Julian Tamayo, McLean High School

Today we took a road trip to the beautiful city of Richmond, Va. We were downstairs waiting for the bus at 6:45 a.m. Most of us slept on the hour and a half bus ride, sleep that was much needed after an exhausting night of working on our projects.

HSLP 2011: Day 11-Tuesday, July 19

Rachel Casebolt — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 22:59:24 -0400

High School Leaders Program
Day 11 - Tuesday, July 19
Reported by: Patrick Bond, Monticello High School

Today was an application of many of the theories that we have been learning for the past two weeks. We now know what the General Assembly has to do every two years to balance the budget, and it isn’t easy. Fierce debates raged in the lecture halls of U.Va. over whether spending cuts or tax increases were the best option to close Virginia’s hypothetical $1 billion deficit. Today we played The Budget Game.

HSLP 2011: Day 10-Monday, July 18

Rachel Casebolt — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:33:50 -0400

High School Leaders Program
Day 10 - Monday, July 18
Reported by: Alec Shobe, Maggie Walker Governor's School; Caroline Crabtree, Douglas Southall Freeman High School; Irene Koo; Deep Run High School

HSLP 2011: Day 9-Sunday, July 17

Rachel Casebolt — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 22:48:55 -0400

High School Leaders Program
Day 9 - Sunday, July 17
Reported by: Lauren Marshall, Douglas Southall Freeman High School

Today Sorensen students made a monumental switch from up and coming political leaders to the average teenagers. We slept in for the first time all week. Then we bonded while watching the FIFA Women’s World Cup Finals.

HSLP 2011: Day 7-Friday, July 15

Rachel Casebolt — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 22:42:46 -0400

High School Leaders Program
Day 7 - Friday, July 15
Reported by: Ryan Deal, First Colonial High School

HSLP 2011: Day 6-Thursday, July 14

Rachel Casebolt — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 22:14:29 -0400

High School Leaders Program
Day 6 - Thursday, July 14
Reported by: Dana Raphael, Washington Lee High School

Today we had class with Mr. Johnson and discussed the structure of Virginia state government. We commenced the day by analyzing the Virginia Constitution, with the purpose of revision. Our Constitution has not been revised in forty years, since 1971. In groups we proposed and voted on amendments to the Constitution. Some legalized gay marriage, re-enfranchised ex-convicts and extended the term of governor.