SYEP 3013

The 2013 DC Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) application is now open! Go to: SYEP Application to sign up. You'll need your social security number and an email address to sign up.

The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is a locally funded initiative sponsored by the Department of Employment Services (DOES) that provides District youth ages 14 to 21 with enriching and constructive summer work experiences through subsidized placements in the private and government sectors.

Through SYEP, we strive to provide young people with the opportunity to:

• Earn money and gain meaningful work experience;

• Learn and develop the skills, attitudes, and commitment necessary to succeed in today’s world of work;

• Gain exposure to various exciting career industries; and

• Interact with dynamic working professionals

in a positive work environment.

Though SYEP is a short-term employment and training program, our goal is to introduce our youth to employer

s who will positively impact their futures. Employers in the Washington, DC metropolitan area make this annual program possible by volunteering to serve as Host Employers and providing structured job opportunities for youth during the summer

.

Coca-Cola Leadership Program 2013

Since 1997, the Coca-Cola Pre-College Program at the Leadership Center at Morehouse College, the first of its kind at a historically black college and university (HCBU), has been a beacon in providing leadership training to high school students and college pre-freshmen. For seven days each summer, students from high schools across the United States are introduced to the traits, skills and behaviors necessary for effective 21st century leadership. Each day the program accentuates a leadership principle: love, integrity, courage, wisdom and hope.

The curriculum is focused on personal and interpersonal leadership skills emphasizing the development of character, civility and community. Training sessions are highly interactive and diverse, including lectures, workshops, rituals, journaling and outdoor leadership focused activities. During the week long experience, each day accentuates a leadership principle (love, integrity, courage, wisdom, and hope), and the curriculum builds personal and interpersonal leadership skills using indoor and outdoor group activities: from Tai Chi, a ropes team-building course and historical tours, to rituals and ceremonies such as truth-telling sessions, mask-making, and a "Cave of the Heart Ritual‚" derived from Plato's Allegory of the Cave. The activities emphasize self-awareness as a basis for better understanding of ethical leadership practices in the 21st century. For many, the experience is life altering.

Who Should Apply?

• Male students completing their sophomore or junior year of high school by June 2013 and students completing their senior year in high school who have applied for admission to Morehouse College for Fall 2013.
• Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) at the time their applications are received, be self-disciplined and have an interest in leadership.

Email kboehle-silva@tmapchs.org for more information or to apply. 

APPLICATION DUE: February 17th

TMA Students Earn Summer Programs Scholarships

This past semester, over 30 Thurgood Marshall Academy 10^th and 11^th grade students applied for OSSE Scholars, a free summer program sponsored by the District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education. OSSE Scholars helps high-achieving high school sophomores and juniors to attend summer academic enrichment programs at some of the top-tier colleges in the country, including Boston University, Carnegie Mellon, Northwestern University and the University of Pennsylvania.

TMA had over 2/3 of our eligible sophomores and juniors apply to OSSE Scholars this fall. Students submitted online applications, including a list of their classes, resume, and current transcripts, and interviewed with OSSE.

This year, Thurgood Marshall Academy had the highest number of applicants to OSSE Scholars out of all DC Public and Public Charter High Schools, and we were tied for the most acceptances (seven) out of any school. All seven TMA OSSE Scholars will receive free application help from OSSE, fee waivers for their summer programs, and have their program travel and housing covered through the program.

TMA’s OSSE Scholars are hard at work completing their final applications for these summer programs, which include writing personal statements, gathering recommendations from faculty, and choosing the courses they’ll take this summer! We wish them all the best as they get ready for their summers! 

Our 2013 OSSE Scholars are:

Lucas Dabney, 11^th grade, who will be attending Syracuse University’s Summer College

Antione Fenwick, 11^th grade, attending Cornell’s Summer College for High School Students

Stewart Gray, 11^th grade, Stanford’s Summer at Stanford High School Summer College

Tanazia Matthews, 11^th grade, attending Boston University’s Summer Challenge Program

Rushawna May, 10^th grade, attending University of Pennsylvania’s Summer Academy

Sakina Musa, 10^th grade, Northwestern University’s College Prep IN FOCUS Seminars

Cer'cia Wallace, 10^th grade, attending Barnard College’s Summer in the City

Apply Today for SEAP (Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program)

Attention all budding researchers!

Would you like to work in a Navy Research Lab this summer and get paid $3200? Then you should apply for SEAP, the Navy's Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program! The application is available here. 

This program's application is DUE January 7th, so make sure you talk to Mr. Corcoran or Ms. Boehle-Silva before break if you have any questions! You can also email kboehle-silva@tmapchs.org if you have any questions while applying.

Interfaith Youth for Climate Justice

Are you a member of a faith community in Washington, DC? Are you committed to caring for the earth? If so, you should check out Interfaith Youth for Climate Justice, a local organization that provides community service and paid summer internships to DC youth.

The application is due December 21st, and you can fill it out here.

TMA Students Look Back on Summer

We might finally be closer to Halloween than Summer, but the Summer Programs Blog is getting ready for another year of applications, nominations, and adventure! To kick off the year, we interviewed three TMA students who participated in Summer Programs this year. If you're interested in applying for any of these programs, email kboehle-silva@tmapchs.org for more information!

Tiarra Dixon, Senior, Just the Beginning Foundation Summer Legal Institute

TMASP: What did you do this summer?
Tiarra: I participated in Just the Beginning Foundation's Summer Legal Institute. It's a week long program in July that is open to 9th-12th graders. We visited courts in DC, interviewed attorneys, watched and studied court cases, and took classes on the Law.

TMASP: How did you hear about the Program?
Tiarra: I talked to Programs last year and they helped me apply. It's a very competitive Summer Program, and it was very diverse--there were people from all over, and from many different ethnic backgrounds.

TMASP: What was your favorite part of the program?
Tiarra: I loved being on GW's campus (where our classes were held). I also liked being able to network with attorneys and the other program participants. I even got to meet TMA students I hadn't talked to before! The program helped my written and oral communication skills, and I feel more prepared for English this year. I'm also hoping to use the knowledge I gained when I major in Pre-Law in college.

Shaquille Hall, Senior, Urban Alliance

TMASP: What did you do this summer?
SH: I worked at the Bank of America on 8th St and H St NE through the Urban Alliance program. I was an ATM Ambassador, which meant that I shadowed a personal banker and a teller, and greeted customers. Urban Alliance helps youth get professional work experience.

TMASP: How did you hear about the program?
SH: I did Urban Alliance last year, and Programs helped me apply again.

TMASP: What was your favorite part of the program?
I learned so much about the Bank--I didn't know that banks had Night Drops for restaurants or other businesses that can't come by during regular hours. I also didn't know how much Bank Tellers have to do! I also participated in a public speaking challenge, where I competed against other Urban Alliance members. I was nervous but I think I did well.

TMASP: Would you do this program again?
SH: Definitely! I'm hoping to do it again as a senior, because the program will help match you with a Bank of America branch near your college. If you work there for six months, they'll help you pay for college.

Keneon Williams, Sophomore, Neighbors of Seaton Place

TMASP: What did you do this summer?
KW: I worked with elementary school students at different schools around DC. Neighbors of Seaton Place  trained me as an Anti-Bullying Facilitator. I went to different locations and spoke to kids on how to advocate against bullying in their school.

TMASP: How did you hear about the program?
KW: I signed up for the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) through TMA Summer Programs. SYEP Placed me with Neighbors of Seaton Place.

TMASP: What was your favorite part of the program?
KW: Leading anti-bullying activities to get the message across. I really liked connecting with the students.

TMASP: Would you do this program again?

KW: Yes, and I'm using what I learned this summer at TMA. I just joined ADL, a TMA Club that works against bullying and discrimination in our community.

TEEN CRITIC

Designed for high school students interested in journalism and/or critical writing, the Teen Critic Program at Shakespeare Theatre Company teaches students how to view theatrical productions with a critical eye and how to write an informed comprehensive theatre review.

Teen Critics will be invited to the Press Night for each production (two complimentary tickets per production), receive a press packet, preferred press seating and will have the opportunity to meet with professional theatre critics from local newspapers and members of Shakespeare Theatre Company staff to learn about how to write an effective theatre review.Â

After seeing each show, Teen Critics will write a review and submit it to the Shakespeare Theatre Company Education Department (due one week after Press Night).  STC education staff will work with the Teen Critic to make revisions and then the review will be published in a school newspaper or online.

Teen Critics must commit to the entire season of Press Nights and additional Writing Workshops.

The Government Inspector
Sunday, September 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Lansburgh Theatre (workshop at 6:15 p.m.)

A Midsummer Night's Dream
Tuesday, November 27 at 7:45 p.m.
Sidney Harman Hall (workshop at 6:15 p.m.)

Man and Superman
Saturday, February 2 at 8:00 p.m.
Lansburgh Theatre (workshop at 6:30 p.m.)

Wallenstein
Tuesday, April 16 at 7:45 p.m.
Sidney Harman Hall (workshop at 6:15 p.m.)

Coriolanus
Thursday, April 18 at 7:45 p.m.
Sidney Harman Hall (workshop at 6:30 p.m.)

The Winter's Tale
Thursday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Lansburgh Theatre (workshop at 6:15 p.m.)

Additional Writing Workshops:
Saturday, October 13 from 2 - 4 p.m.
Saturday, March 16 from 2 - 4 p.m.

Administrative Offices
516 8th Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003

To apply to be a Teen Critic click here.  Once your application is received, a phone interview with the Community Engagement Manger will be scheduled.