Students will be asked to write an essay on what it means to be an American, incorporating their ideas about rights, responsibilities and values. The Korea Times is the contest's special media sponsor. The winning essays will be published on Thirteen's Web site. The Institute's reach is extended electronically through Thirteen, Thirteen's Web site. Now in its 12th year, the institute taps the leadership potential of high school juniors from more than 100 schools in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
Students leave the event charged with inspiration.
Charisse Long , a senior at Baruch College Campus High School, who served as a panelist and facilitator at this year's event, told of her experience since first attending the Teen Leadership Institute . After the Institute in 2000, we organized our own Heritage Day at our school, a celebration of the various cultures in our school, our community and around the world. It was an awesome night with international perfomances, ethnic foods, exhibits, and readings. The day commenced with a Socratic Ethics Forum, moderated by Charles Ogletree, a Harvard School of Law professor. This year's Teen Leadership Institute offers young people in our community an opportunity to analyze and explore these issues through discussion and activities designed to break down barriers.