Back-to-school opportunities for students

The Labor Day holiday is now behind us, marking the traditional end of summer and the beginning of a new school year for students. As students head back to the classroom, Nebraskans should be aware of several resources and opportunities available through my office.

As your Representative, I have the privilege of nominating a limited number of people to attend the U.S. Service Academies. The honor of attending a service academy comes with an obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. To help young people in Nebraska learn more about the U.S. Service Academies and other opportunities for military service, I host an annual Academy Day each spring. Academy application packets for this year must be postmarked by September 30th. Please contact my Grand Island office if you would like more information on the service academies or the application process.

The Third District Youth Advisory Council is a forum for high school juniors and seniors to discuss opinions, thoughts, and concerns with me about local and federal issues throughout the school year. The council meets regularly through in-person meetings, Facebook forums, and conference calls. Students are expected to actively participate in discussions and meetings. Applications are accepted in April and May.

Each Spring, I partner with the Nebraska Art Teacher's Association to host the Congressional Art Competition open to all high school students in the Third District. The winning submission in our district is displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. The exhibit in Washington also includes artwork from other contest winners nation-wide. If you would like more information about the annual Congressional Art Competition - including this year's deadlines - please contact my Grand Island Office.

My office also offers internships for college students interested in public policy in Washington, D.C., Grand Island, and Scottsbluff. Internships offer students an outstanding opportunity to learn about the legislative process firsthand while working side-by-side with experienced full-time staff. Applications are accepted year-round, and hours are flexible to accommodate class schedules and academic responsibilities. Please visit: http://adriansmith.house.gov/serving-you/internships for more information, or to download an application.

Additionally, links to dozens of resources for students, teachers, and parents can be found at: http://adriansmith.house.gov/resources/students. This page can connect you to websites designed for children of all ages, as well as information on applying for college financial aid. I hope interested students will take advantage of these opportunities to help them get the most out of their educational experience. A good education not only benefits individual students, but also the future of our country.