Lott Leadership Institute For Rising Ninth Graders

May 25 - June 13, 2009

NEWS:

Rising-Ninth Graders Reflect On Experience in Oxford: Session One

The first half of seventy exceptional eighth graders from around Mississippi recently completed Session I of the Lott Leadership Institute Summer Program for Rising Eighth Graders. This summer will mark the first time that two separate sessions are offered, as the number of applications to this prestigious program has continued to climb...

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Click here to view a slide show of photos from the 2006 Institute.

	"It was nothing short of amazing. . ."" "The best experience I've ever had. I don't think there is anything I would want to change." ". . .exceeded all of my expectations. . .I was really able to grow. . ." "Lott was a life-changing experience. The ability of the program to challenge me intellectually. . . really helped me step up as a leader. I was given the opportunity to become anything I could ever dream of." "Wonderful. . .life-changing. . .I loved it!"

ABOUT THE PROGRAM:

The Lott Leadership Institute for Rising Ninth Graders is a program designed to develop critical thinking and leadership skills in soon–to–be high school freshmen. Its aim is to cultivate and inspire honest, compassionate, and responsive leaders who will focus on responsibility and stewardship. The overall goal being that students who complete the program will return to their high schools and put the new skills to work for the betterment of the community.

Student leaders from across the State of Mississippi come to the Ole Miss campus, earn high school credit, and begin the study of leadership. Included in the program are opportunities to mingle with college administrators, student leaders and community leaders while participating in current event debates, discussions and decision–making activities. During the program, participants take a trip to Jackson, Mississippi, to see state government in action, hear from current leaders, and tour the state’s capitol and governor’s mansion. Students will also participate in a service project to drive home the notion of stewardship from our leaders.

There is one session of the Lott Leadership, in which up to 36 students may be chosen. A principal, guidance counselor, or Ole Miss recruiter must nominate a student in order for the student to receive an application. Only five students per school may be nominated.

DATES:

Dates for the Lott Leadership Institute for Rising Ninth Graders are May 25 to June 13, 2009. Students accepted for the program are enrolled in a credit bearing course and must attend ALL class meetings. The trip to Jackson, Mississippi, and participation in the service project are also required.

TO APPLY:

Students must meet the following admission requirements to the Lott Leadership Institute for Rising Ninth Graders:

• The student must be in good academic and conduct standing in the eighth grade at the time of admission. The school can be public, private, parochial, or even home–educated.
• The student must have a 3.5 GPA in the four subject areas of math, science, social studies, and English for the 6th, 7th and 8th grade years. The applicant must also have standardized achievement test scores above the present grade level.
• The student must have permission from his or her principal.
• The student must have two letters of recommendation from teachers (included in the student application packet).

After being nominated by their school principals or counselors, students must complete the application, which will be sent directly to their home address (provided by the school). From the pool of applications, an admissions selection committee will select participants and a limited number of alternates.

NOMINATION DEADLINES

Nominations from the school MUST be received in the Pre–College Program Office no later than January 30, 2009. Once the Office of Summer School receives a nomination, a full application will be mailed to the nominee. That completed application, including the principal–s endorsement, must be postmarked no later than March 1, 2009.

ACADEMICS

Students will take Problems in American Democracy, a course designed to give students a greater awareness of the issues and problems facing the United States today. The course’s focus is on the arenas of geography, politics, society, and science and technology. Its emphasis is on analysis of issues, situations, and problems with the goal of fostering positive appreciation and desired resolution. This course is part of the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) curriculum framework, and covers the curriculum laid out by the MDE. Students receive 1/2 High School Carnegie Credit from the University of Mississippi (a SACS accredited institution), which MAY be transferable back to their high school (final decision rests with local school districts).

HOUSING AND ACTIVITIES

Students will be housed in a university residence hall with counselors selected to work specifically with their age group. Weekends will be dedicated to fun activities around the Oxford campus. (Students must stay one weekend to complete the service project, but may leave other weekend.) During the week, students will participate in recreational activities each day as well as research and course activities that will familiarize them with the library and computer center on campus.

PERSONNEL

Administrative personnel from the Pre–College Program Office serve as administrators for the Lott Leadership Institute for Rising Ninth Grade. Instructors working with the group are high school certified teachers. At least eight counselors (four male and four female) will live and work with the group (counselors are outstanding UM students).

PARENT SAFETY CONCERNS

The selected participants are sent a set of age–appropriate rules, and both parents and students must sign and agree to the rules. The only punishment for breach of rules is dismissal from the program. Administrators, teachers and counselors monitor the students 24 hours a day, and the residence hall where they are housed is secure.

COSTS

Once a student is accepted to the program, he/she is required to pay a non–refundable $50 activity fee to reserve his/her position in the program. The remaining cost of the program is $500 (this amount is in addition to the activity fee). Though the activity fee should be paid out of pocket, students are encouraged to fund–raise the $500 program fee (or as much of it as possible). This is a leadership building exercise that is part of the program experience. Included with a student’s acceptance package is a list of suggestions for raising money to attend the program. Thus an individual’s financial situation should not be a deterrent to applying to and successful completion of the program.

In addition to the above costs, students are responsible for some simple school supplies, weekend meals (if they choose to stay the weekend), snacks, and miscellaneous spending money. Remaining costs of the program, including on–campus housing, a weekday meal plan, travel costs, etc., are covered by the University of Mississippi’s Lott Leadership Institute.

	"To be effective leaders, our young people deserve unique opportunities that greatly expand their horizons. The Lott Leadership Institute does that and more, including providing opportunities for lawmakers, academicians, philanthropic leaders and others." Senator Trent Lott

2009 PARTICIPANTS