OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS

Sophomores interested in HOBY State Leadership Seminar can visit www.hoby.org/ for more information. If interested in attending, see a counselor.

Juniors interested in attending Illinois Boys or Girls State and who meet the eligibility requirements should contact their local legion post, school counselor, or email info@illinoisboysstate.org for further information. For more information and registration forms for Illinois Boys State, visit http://illinoisboysstate.org/. For more information and registration forms for Illinois Girls State, visit http://ilgirlsstate.org/.

Veterans of Foreign Wars sponsors the Voice of Democracy, a national patriotic speech writing competition open to 9-12th grade students. Visit www.vfw.org/VOD/ for the application and more information. Entries must be submitted by October 31 to a local VFW chapter. For more information, contact Richard Kuehl, VFW Post #2605, PO Box 1113, Carbondale, IL, 62903, ph. 618-201-3073.

The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation invites US high school students to write an essay on an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917. For contest information, registration, and to submit your essay, visit www.jfklibrary.org/essaycontest. Deadline for submission is January 15.

Students interested in attending Illinois Math & Science Academy should apply by February 1. Applicants must show a history of academic achievement, involvement in leadership and extracurricular activities and a a demonstrated interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). Applicants should be in the 8th or 9th grade applying for entrance into the 10th grade at IMSA. Complete an application at www.imsa.edu by February 1.

Egyptian Electric Cooperative will sponsor five sophomores, juniors and/or seniors from its service area to attend "Illinois Youth Day" and "Youth to Washington" programs this spring. Click here for the application. Applications must be submitted to the address or email address listed on the application no later than February 14.

Murray State University is pleased to announce the Commonwealth Honors Academy. Upon completion of the Academy, students will receive 6 hours of university credit, have the opportunity to take six additional hours of tuition free courses during their senior year, be awarded a four-year $2000 per year housing scholarship to Murray State. Interested juniors should visit www.murraystate.edu/cha for more information and the application.

Southern Illinois Healthcare developed a Summer Internship Program to help peak the interest of high school students planning for a career in healthcare. Qualified students are eligible for a 6–8-week internship program which consists of shadowing in Laboratory, Nursing, Radiology, Respiratory Therapy, Physical or Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, and another approved career field.  Students entering their Sophomore, Junior and Senior year and graduating Seniors are eligible to apply.  The unpaid internship will begin in June and end after the first week of August.  Students are required to attend two-three days per week to shadow, up to 4-6 hours per day for the 6–8-week time. More information and the application can be found here. The deadline for applying is April 22.