Interior Announces $327,022 to Support Junior State of America Program for Students from U.S. Insular Areas

WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary, Insular and International Affairs, Doug Domenech today announced $327,022 in fiscal year 2020 funding support for the Junior State of America (JSA) program (formerly the Junior Statesmen of America) for students from American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands as well as the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

“I am happy to support Junior State of America for youth in the islands,” said Assistant Secretary Domenech. “Such experiences provide high school students with important leadership skills and confidence that they can take into their communities and educational and professional careers now and into the future.”

Through this program, students will attend a three-week summer school program to develop reading, writing, speaking, and leadership skills on the campuses of either Georgetown, Princeton, or Stanford universities. Funding also supports a one-week academic preparation and community project program for the JSA program in the U.S. insular areas.    

The Assistant Secretary, Insular and International Affairs, and the Office of Insular Affairs carry out the Secretary of the Interior’s responsibilities for the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Additionally, OIA administers and oversees federal assistance under the Compacts of Free Association to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

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