Project PULL Announces Academy 97

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                      DATE:     April 7, 1997 
                                           CONTACT:   Julius Paras
                                                    (408) 241-1091


      PROJECT PULL SEEKS MOTIVATED HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR 
      INNOVATIVE SUMMER PROGRAM ON PILIPINO AMERICAN ISSUES

                          
     Project PULL, a nonprofit organization serving the Pilipino

American youth community, is launching a nationwide search 

for 70 high school students to participate in the first annual 

Project PULL Academy.  Academy 97 will be introduced this 

summer at the Stanford University campus in Palo Alto, 

California.        

     Planned program activities include seminars on college planning, 

a tour of a Silicon Valley company, team building exercises,

leadership skills training, and panel discussions with community

leaders and young professionals.  Although the program is intense,

participants will also enjoy a variety of recreational activities

on campus.  

     Project PULL is asking parents, community organizations, 

teachers, student clubs, and other groups for their help 

in identifying young people with college aspirations

and an interest in learning more about Pilipino American

community issues.  Community organizations, church groups, 

and schools are urged to sponsor youth from their local areas.

     Students completing their freshman or sophomore year in high

school with a minimum GPA of 2.0 are eligible.  Students must 

demonstrate an interest in learning about Pilipino American

community issues as well as a sincere desire to attend college.

To apply for the program, students must submit a completed 

application form, two short essays, a recommendation form, and

a scholarship request (optional).        

	The Academy program is intended to serve as a model for 

future youth leadership and college outreach efforts targeting 

Pilipino American high school students.  Project PULL strongly 

encourages students who will be the first in their families to 

attend college in the United States as well as students from 

schools with limited college counseling programs or low-income 

backgrounds to apply.  
 
     Academy participants may apply for one of two sessions:  

June 22-27, 1997 or July 20-25, 1997.  Program fees are $275

per student.  Scholarships may be available.  Applications will be 

available on Tuesday, April 9, 1997 via the World Wide Web at

"http://www.slip.net/~projectp/academy.html" or by contacting

Project PULL directly at (408) 241-1091.  Applications are 

due by Monday, May 5, 1997 at 5 PM.   

     Project PULL, headquartered in Santa Clara, California, was

formed in 1994 to develop innovative, education initiatives 

serving Pilipino American youth.  Project PULL regularly

presents workshops on leadership skills and the Internet at 

student conferences and to organizations upon request.  In 1995, 

Project PULL introduced The BARANGAY, an online sourcebook for 

Pilipino American youth, educators, and youth service providers.  

The site features a community calendar, digest of youth 

opportunities, and a comprehensive listing of Pilipino 

American youth resources.  In 1996, the echoing green foundation

of New York awarded a public service fellowship to Julius Paras,

Project PULL's Director, to initiate the Academy program.

     Project PULL Academy 1997 is a partnership of the Asian American

Activities Center at Stanford University, the echoing green

foundation, Filipinos for Affirmative Action, and Project PULL.  

                               # # #

Project PULL ... a learning organization for the Pilipino American community
3148 El Camino Real, Suite 208
Santa Clara, California 95051
Phone: (408) 241-1091
FAX: (408) 984-2298
Email: projectpull@projectpull.org
URL: http://www.projectpull.org