June 16, 2003

Media Contact: Michael Dabney (858) 822-3432

Helping youngsters develop good diet and exercise habits early in life while exposing them to a wide range of academic pursuits – from Web page design and video production to science career exploration – is the focus this summer of the Young Native Scholars Program at the University of California, San Diego.  The program is sponsoring a free two-week residential experience on the UCSD campus from August 10 through 23 for eighth graders and high school students  -- especially those of Native American heritage – in San Diego and Imperial Counties. Deadline for registration is June 25.

Now in its third year at UCSD, the Young Native Scholars Program -- administered under the university’s Early Academic Outreach Program in Student Affairs with support from the Southern California Tribal Chairman’s Association -- is intended to provide Native American youths with information, skills and motivation necessary to pursue higher education, and to allow students to use knowledge learned through the program to enhance tribal life and culture at their respective Indian reservation locations.

The program this summer has vacancies for 24 students. Students will earn up to 6 units of college credit for their participation, and must have at least a 2.5 grade point average to apply.

Youngsters will live on campus at UCSD while participating in a host of health/wellness and academic enrichment activities, including: daily regimens of low impact yoga, karate, hiking, and kayaking/surfing on the ocean, in addition to classes in digital video production, radio broadcasting, website design, science career exploration at UCSD’s School of Medicine and Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Also included will be special instruction in aspects of Native American culture, such as tribal law and sovereignty, insight into the traditional use of herbs for health maintenance among Native Americans, natural diet of Native ancestors, tribal values, and Native history.

“In essence, this summer’s program will address a wide gamut of areas dealing with the physical, mental and spiritual well being of Native American students,” says Marc Chavez, coordinator of the Native Scholars Program. ”Health and nutrition needs are especially top concerns among Native Americans today,” he adds, “with diabetes and obesity being particularly high among the Native population.  “

In addition, exposure to various health professions and practitioners this summer through the Young Native Scholars Program will offer students career insight into health and medical fields they can consider pursuing to later assist their own communities, Chavez emphasizes.

For more information on the Young Native Scholars Program and how to apply this summer, visit the program’s website: www.NativeScholars.org, or call Marc Chavez at UCSD, (858) 822-4256, or Shonta Chaloux at the Southern California Tribal Chairman’s Association, (760) 751-7676, ext. 101.