CALL FOR ENTRIES: Bezos Scholars Program @ the Aspen Institute

Now accepting applications from public high school juniors & educators

ASPEN, Colo., Dec. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Bezos Scholars Program @ the Aspen Institute, a national scholars program, seeks exceptional high school juniors and educators for a powerful leadership development opportunity and all-expenses-paid scholarship. Application deadline: February 3, 2012.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111206/DC16019LOGO)

As Bezos Scholars, 12 top public high school juniors and 12 dynamic educators will receive an all-expenses-paid scholarship to attend the Aspen Ideas Festival, June 26 – July 2, 2012. On the Aspen Institute campus, Student and Educator Scholars attend six days of seminars, tutorials, lectures and debates. Past Bezos Scholars also spent exclusive time with retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, oceanographer Sylvia Earle, TOMS Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie, and journalist Nicholas Kristof, among many others.

"The Bezos Scholars Program enlightens the mind and inspires the soul. Throughout all of my experiences, I am certain none has ever made me feel as empowered," says 2011 Bezos Student Scholar Nikki Santiago.

The program begins in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and continues as scholars return home with inspiration, tools and resources to grow their own big ideas in the form of Local Ideas Festivals. Since 2005, Bezos Scholars have launched more than 56 Local Ideas Festivals on a range of topics. Scholars are mobilizing classmates and community members to conserve water, communicate across cultural differences, increase literacy and address many other critical global issues. This 4-minute video offers a glimpse of the experience as told by Bezos Scholars.

"Scholars return home inspired by the Aspen Ideas Festival, and change the experience into action by teaming up to create sustainable Local Ideas Festivals. These festivals create a ripple effect that is transformative for schools and communities across the U.S.," says Jackie Bezos, president and co-founder, with her husband Mike, of the Bezos Family Foundation.

Bezos Scholars Program School Criteria

• Public High School (including Charter and Magnet schools)
• At least 25% of students are eligible for free/reduced lunch program
• Offers Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or college credit courses

Bezos Scholars Program Student Scholar Criteria
The criteria below are firm. We will only accept applications from students enrolled in public schools.

• Demonstrates leadership in school and community
• Has scored exceptionally well on PSAT/SAT/or ACT
• Taking Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate classes or college/community courses
• GPA of 3.5, or higher
• Public high school junior during the 2011-2012 academic year
• Legal U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
• Availability of student & educator on all dates

Application deadline: February 3, 2012

For more information, including photos, videos and testimonials, visit:

Website: www.bezosfamilyfoundation.org/scholars

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bspaspen

ABOUT THE PARTNERS
The Bezos Scholars Program @ the Aspen Institute is a collaboration between the Bezos Family Foundation and the Aspen Institute.

SOURCE Bezos Family Foundation