Payson Roundup

For Payson High School junior Nicole Scott, who wants to attend Stanford for college, the chance to study there for three weeks this summer arrived in her mailbox, to her gleeful surprise.

Through the Junior Statesman Foundation, high school students can apply to highly competitive summer programs at Princeton, Yale, Georgetown or Stanford.

Scott will study Advanced Placement Macroeconomics, and take the required Leadership and Public Service course in classes that meet six days each week. The AP class can result in both high school and college credit.

“I think what I’m really excited about is meeting people from around the nation,” Scott said — and engaging in a little friendly competition.

“It’s a real honor,” said Richard Prosser, Arizona’s JSA program director. “It’s like being accepted into Stanford.”

The program costs $4,000, and Scott is asking the community for help. “It’s expensive, but its worth it in the long run,” she said. “If you think about the Ivy Leagues and how expensive they are, I’m really getting a break.”

Contact Scott at Nicolescott2@yahoo.com, or by mail at P.O. Box 1079, Tonto Basin, Ariz., 85553.

Donations are tax-deductible.

Scott, who wants a career in health, says she also loves political science and communications.