Blancato selected to attend Brown Leadership Institute
(POSTED: FEBRUARY 7, 2012)
Port
Jervis High School junior Victoria Blancato was selected to
attend the prestigious Brown University Leadership Institute
this summer. Ranked in the top five percent of her high school
class, Blancato was awarded a merit-based scholarship to attend
the two-week program.
An innovative leadership development program, the Brown
Leadership Institute brings highly-motivated and intellectually
curious high school students from around the world together to
explore complex social issues. Participants will have the unique
opportunity to interact with world class scholars and local
activists, participate in high level simulations, and attend
leadership classes at the Ivy League university geared toward
their individual interests.
Blancato, who is passionate about politics, will attend the
two-week Leadership, Politics, and Religion course. In addition
to exploring the complex relationship between faith and
politics, the class is designed to help students develop an
individual action plan to address a social issue in their
community. The students are required to implement this plan when
they return home.
Growing up in a politically-active family, Blancato is already
committed to making a difference in her community. An active
member of Orange County Democratic Women, Blancato is
responsible for updating the local grassroots organization’s
Facebook page. She also serves as a volunteer at Pets Alive, a
no-kill animal shelter in Middletown.
In school, the High Honor Roll student is a member of both the
High School band and chorus. She plays the flute and the tenor
saxophone.
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