2015 Student Congress
June 7-13
The Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship (HCCS) invites applications from motivated and qualified high school
juniors from across the United States to participate in the 2015 Student Congress. The 2015 Student Congress will
be held June 7-13 on the campuses of Transylvania University and the University of Kentucky in Lexington,
Kentucky.
General Information
Henry Clay, one of the most brilliant statesmen of all times, dedicated his entire public life to serve a cause he
considered essential for the constructive and peaceful coexistence of all members of society at all levels. Known
as “The Great Compromiser,” he went to great lengths to ensure the building of consensus around very difficult
issues while serving as an elected official and as Secretary of State. HCCS promotes public leadership through
the discussion of pressing global and national issues utilizing the perspective of compromise, consensus building
and conflict resolution. HCCS is a joint undertaking of its Board of Directors, Transylvania University, and the
University of Kentucky.
The week-long Student Congress brings fifty (50) high school students together with politicians, academics,
journalists, business people, and other leaders to discuss the importance of applying the art of compromise in
every aspect of their activities without sacrificing their own values. The most important outcome of this
experience is the incorporation of the legacy of the Great Compromiser in the thoughts and actions of today’s
student leaders. Carefully-chosen guest speakers will engage in interactive discussions with the students
throughout the week. Student will also debate in the State Capitol, tour the Ashland Estate (Henry Clay’s
home), visit Three Chimneys Farm, and participate in a dinner and discussion at the Governor’s Mansion. A
very important aspect of this learning experience will be the possibility of establishing friendships with peers
and to become part of an alumni network of leaders.
HCCS covers all costs for students to participate, including travel to and from the Student Congress, meals,
accommodations, and costs associated with other activities. Students will be housed in a residence hall at
Transylvania University with residential supervision provided by resident advisors.
Application and Selection
Students must receive the endorsement of their high schools to be considered for selection. Applicants will be
evaluated on the following criteria:
• Excellent academic performance, as evidenced by a rigorous curriculum, grade point average, and
standardized test scores
• Participation in relevant coursework, particularly AP United States History, AP United States Government
and AP Comparative Government and Politics
• Participation in relevant extracurricular activities, such as speech, debate, Boys and Girls State, Model
United Nations, political engagement, etc.
• Clear record of integrity, service, and leadership
• Ability to write clearly, persuasively, and concisely
The final selection will be made by a committee composed of senior representatives of the Center’s partners.
Special attention will be given to leadership abilities and potential of the candidates. In mid-April, the Executive
Director of HCCS will announce the names of the selected participants and will extend the official invitations
and corresponding instructions to attend the Congress.
2015 Student Congress
Student Application Packet
Students must submit the items below in a single packet to receive consideration for selection. The application
packet must be postmarked on or before Friday, March 20, 2015. Any applications received with a postmark
after that date will not be considered. Please mail the application packet to:
Student Congress Selection Committee
Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship
Transylvania University
300 North Broadway
Lexington, KY 40508
The application packet must include the following:
 Application form
 Application essay
 Official high school transcript (in a sealed envelope with a school official’s signature across the seal)
 Evidence of at least one standardized test score (PSAT, ACT, or SAT). If your test score information is
included on your high school transcript, this will suffice. Otherwise, please submit a copy of a test score
report.
 Teacher recommendation form and letter (in a sealed envelope with the teacher’s signature across the seal),
preferably from a history, government, or debate teacher
 School endorsement form and letter of recommendation from the high school principal or high school
counselor (in a sealed envelope with a school official’s signature across the seal). Your high school may
endorse more than one applicant.
2015 Student Congress
Student Application
Part I – Personal Information
Name
Last
Address
First
Middle
Preferred Name
Street/P.O. Box
Apartment
City
State
Zip
Home Phone
Cell Phone
Email Address
Parent’s Email Address
High School
Graduation Year
High School Address
Street/P.O. Box
City
High School Principal
State
Dr./Mr./Ms.
First Name
Zip
Last Name
Part II– Application Essay
On a separate sheet of paper in a typed response of approximately 250 words, respond to the following question:
What is the greatest conflict our nation will face in the next quarter-century, and how will compromise
and consensus building prove essential in managing and solving this conflict? Please use at least one well-selected
source (such as a newspaper account, an objective web-based source, or even an academic study) to help detail
and/or support your claim. Your audience includes college professors and administrators.
Part III – Leadership, Involvement, and Service
Using only the form below, please list your leadership, service, and involvement activities in the order of importance
to you.
Activity/Organization
Grades
Involved
Hours per
week
Weeks
per year
Leadership Positions
Held
9 10
11
9 10
11
9 10
11
9 10
11
9 10
11
9 10
11
9 10
11
9 10
11
9 10
11
9 10
11
Part IV – Work Experience
Using only the form below, please list any work positions you have held during the past three years.
Type of Work/Position
Employer
Dates of
Employment
Hours per
week
Part V – Academic Honors and Awards
Using only the form below, please list any honors or awards you have received during high school in the order of
importance to you.
Honor or Award
Year in
School
Award Level
9 10
11
 School
 State
Regional
National
9 10
11
 School
 State
Regional
National
9 10
11
 School
 State
Regional
National
9 10
11
 School
 State
Regional
National
9 10
11
 School
 State
Regional
National
9 10
11
 School
 State
Regional
National
9 10
11
 School
 State
Regional
National
9 10
11
 School
 State
Regional
National
Part VI – Student Agreement
By signing this application, I certify that the information here is true and the result of my own work. If I am
selected to participate in the 2015 Student Congress, I agree to abide by the rules and regulations of the Student
Congress, Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship, and Transylvania University, the host institution.
Student Signature
Date
Parent Signature
Date
2015 Student Congress
Teacher Recommendation Form
The Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship promotes public leadership through the discussion of pressing global and national
issues utilizing the perspective of compromise, consensus building and conflict resolution. The week-long Student Congress
brings fifty (50) high school students together with politicians, academics, journalists, business people, and other leaders to
discuss the importance of applying the art of compromise in every aspect of their activities without sacrificing their own
values. Applicants will be evaluated on their academic performance, their record of integrity, service, and leadership, and their
ability to write clearly, persuasively, and concisely.
Applicant’s Name
Last
Recommender’s Name
First
Dr./Mr./Ms.
Middle
First Name
Last Name
High School
How long have you known this student?
In what class(es) did you teach this student?
Do you know this student outside of the classroom?
Yes
No
If yes, please explain.
What are the first words that come to your mind to describe this student?
Please complete the evaluation below based on a comparison of this student with all other students you have known. If you do not
feel qualified to evaluate a student in a particular area, please indicate that in the appropriate column.
Characteristic
Top 5%
Top 10%
Top 25%
Below
Averag
e
Top 50%
Oral Expression
Written Expression
Leadership Potential
Commitment to Service
Integrity
Perseverance
Initiative
Respect of Peers
Respect of Faculty
Overall Evaluation
No
opportunity
to observe
On a separate sheet of paper, please write a letter of recommendation for the applicant. Please place this recommendation
form and your letter in a sealed envelope with your signature across the seal and return it to the applicant. The
applicant must submit all of the application documents in a single packet.
Recommender’s Signature
Date
2015 Student Congress
School Endorsement Form
The Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship promotes public leadership through the discussion of pressing global and national
issues utilizing the perspective of compromise, consensus building and conflict resolution. The week-long Student Congress
brings fifty (50) high school students together with politicians, academics, journalists, business people, and other leaders to
discuss the importance of applying the art of compromise in every aspect of their activities without sacrificing their own
values. Applicants will be evaluated on their academic performance, their record of integrity, service, and leadership, and their
ability to write clearly, persuasively, and concisely. Applicants must be endorsed by their high schools, but a high school
may endorse more than one applicant. The endorsement may come from the high school principal or counselor.
Applicant’s Name
Last
Endorser’s Name
First
Dr./Mr./Ms.
Middle
First Name
Last Name
Endorser’s Title
High School
Please complete the evaluation below based on a comparison of this student with all other students you have known. If you do not
feel qualified to evaluate a student in a particular area, please indicate that in the appropriate column.
Characteristic
Top 5%
Top 10%
Top 25%
Below
Averag
e
Top 50%
Communication Skills
Leadership Potential
Commitment to Service
Integrity
Perseverance
Initiative
Respect of Peers
Respect of Faculty
Overall Evaluation
No
opportunity
to observe
On a separate sheet of paper, please write a letter of endorsement for the applicant. Your endorsement should explain why
you believe this applicant is a good candidate to participate in a program with this particular focus and why you believe this
applicant is an excellent representative of your school community. Please place this recommendation form and your
letter in a sealed envelope with your signature across the seal and return it to the applicant. The applicant must
submit all of the application documents in a single packet.
By signing below, I certify that our high school endorses the participation of this applicant in the Henry Clay Center for
Statesmanship 2015 Student Congress.
Recommender’s Signature
Date