Cabrillo High School sophomore Blessing Mullis has her sights set on a Yale University program this summer, but first must raise $4,600 for the trip.

Mullis wants to participate in the month-long Junior Statesmen Summer School for students interested in politics and government. To ensure she is able to attend, she is seeking community support in the form of a sponsorship. Her family is paying for part of the program, so Mullis hopes to raise $3,000 to help realize her dream.

“If I don't raise enough money to go this summer, I will go next summer,” she said.

A total of 250 high-achieving high school students are selected for the program, which runs from June 24 to July 19. Students who attend will be taking college courses in American government and speech, as well as holding debates on public policy controversies. Students will also be meeting with government, business and media leaders.

“It is an honor to be selected for this summer school and I am excited about attending,” Mullis said. She has been selected for the program because of her academic record and leadership qualities. She is a volunteer at the Cabrillo High School Aquarium.

Mullis said students can apply for the program or receive a teacher recommendation for it. She both applied to be accepted and had help with recommendations from her English teacher, Kristen Wilkins.

“It depends on if students and teachers think you can do it,” she said of the program, which looks for the most dedicated students. Once a student is accepted, they take an advance placement class in three weeks, where they learn about politics and becoming community leaders.

“I became interested in the program because for years before I had been in student government,” Mullis said. “I also used to do community service projects over the summer.”

The student said that staying at the campus for a month would be exciting, as well as being around other students who share her political interests. She added that she would need to think about the issues she wants to discuss with leaders she meets.

“I think there's a lot of things that could be fixed and better, but I don't have any real problems with how our country is run right now,” Mullis said.

She added that she is looking forward to the debates, as she has participated in them in previous school years.

“I find them fun and interesting,” she said. “It makes you think twice about what you think about yourself and the side you are taking.”

Mullis is also not afraid of the college courses that she will take if she attends.

“I am looking forward to it,” Mullis said. “I'm not the kind of person who would back down from a challenge.” She said she has plans to take summer classes at Allan Hancock College when her schedule allows for it.

Those willing to make sponsorship donations may send a check to: Admissions Director, The Junior Statesman Summer School, 400 South El Camino Real, Suite 300, San Mateo, CA 94402. Please make checks payable to the Junior Statesmen Foundation and include a note that Mullis is the beneficiary.

Ryan McMaster can be reached at 737-1057 or rmcmaster@ lompocrecord.com.

May 30, 2007

The Lompoc Record

http://www.lompocrecord.com/articles/2007/05/30/news/centralcoast/news03.txt