National Council for Science and the Environment Improving the scientific basis for environmental decision-making 1101 17 Street, NW • Suite 250 • Washington, DC20036-4722 • TEL 202/530-5810 • FAX 202/628-4311 • www.NCSEonline.org
A. Karim Ahmed, Ph.D. Secretary-Treasurer Hon. Richard Benedick President Joyce Berry, Ph.D. James Buizer
Dominique House 1740 Tobias Dr. SE Washington DC 20020 October 10, 2008
Rita Colwell, Ph.D. Mohamed El-Ashry, Ph.D.
Dear Dominique House:
Jan Hartke Joseph Highland, Ph.D. Stephen P. Hubbell, Ph.D. Founding Chairman Hon. Randy Johnson Donald N. Langenberg, Ph.D. Chairman Margaret S. Leinen, Ph.D. H. Jeffrey Leonard, Ph.D. Astrid E. Merget, Ph.D. Vice Chairman Anthony Michaels, Ph.D. Larry A. Nielsen, Ph.D. Dian Ogilvie, Esq. Hon. Richard Ottinger, Esq.
This letter is to inform you that your child has been selected to participate in the 2008-2009 DC EnvironMentors Program. EnvironMentors is a rigorous, environmental science mentoring program. We match people working and studying in science and environmental fields with high school students in one to one mentoring relationships. Student and mentor pairs work together to develop environmental science research projects over the school year. The program concludes each May with the EnvironMentors Fair and Awards Ceremony at which students present their projects and winners are awarded scholarships to college and college prep programs. During our 2007-2008 program season, we gave away nearly $20,000 in scholarships to deserving students. 100% of EnvironMentors seniors enrolled in a college or university this past year, and many of our students can be found at top ranked US colleges and universities. In addition, we work closely with students who participate in EnvironMentors to give them support in the college application process.
Ronald Pulliam, Ph.D. Gov. Bill Richardson Peter D. Saundry, Ph.D. Executive Director Jeffrey Seabright Hon. Barbara Sheen Todd Claire A. Van Ummersen, Ph.D. Warren Washington, Ph.D. Honorary Members of the Board Richard C. Bartlett Hon. Hazel O’Leary Hon. William K. Reilly Hon. William D. Ruckelshaus James Gustave Speth, Esq.
EnvironMentors started off this year, with an Orientation Event and a Kick-Off Event. At this event your child met her EnvironMentors mentor for the first time. We worked hard to match students with the most appropriate mentor possible based on shared interests. Most of our student/mentor relationships are highly positive and we certainly hope this is the case for your child. Students meet with their mentor two or three times a month to work on their EnvironMentors projects. Ask your child when their next meeting will be. The next event that you can look for is the Council of Environmental Deans and Directors (CEDD) Reception that will be on December 7, 2008. This event will be a great opportunity to make connections with over 100 Deans and Directors of major universities, learn about different colleges and universities, and to make a good impression on the people who are in charge of accepting students into their programs. You are invited to the reception along with your child. We hope you will consider joining us for future EnvironMentors events and fieldtrips. We also hope you will support your daughter in developing their EnvironMentors project and participation in the program as a whole. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns regarding participation of your daughter in EnvironMentors. Sincerely, Jacklyn Shafir DC Program Manager, NCSE EnvironMentors 202-207-0017 jshafir@ncseonline.org