Overview and Objectives:

The Academy is designed to be activity as well as lecture based and will consist of six-seven sessions during the school year for sophomores, juniors, and seniors. As sophomores, and continuing through their junior and senior years, students begin to engage in issue-driven conversations and learn to understand both sides of issues in order to reach compromise.

In addition, students learn to appreciate public service as well as develop skills needed in any discipline or work environment; meeting timelines, effective listening, punctuality, and group consensus building.

Components of Wendell H. Ford Statesmanship Academy:

• GO VOTE Campaign: In partnership with the Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, the Wendell H. Ford Government Education Center recognizes the importance of improving voter turnout in our community.  All Statesmanship Academy students will have the opportunity to learn more about voter turnout, how it affects their community, and will have the opportunity to take part in the GO VOTE initiative.
• Freshmen Academy members are introduced to the concepts of the 3C’s: civility, cooperation & compromise. The program helps students distinguish the difference between fact and opinion and identify credible versus non-credible news sources. The sessions will include, but not be limited to the following topics:
• Overview of Senator Ford’s life and career & introduction to the 3C’s
• Identifying fact versus opinion & credible versus non-credible news sources
• Practicing civil dialogue and cooperation in the history of Owensboro
• Crafting compromise: What it takes to move us forward/the path to success
• Sophomore Academy members will focus on local issues and solutions while having an opportunity to visit local sites and meet with local elected officials. Students continue to discuss topics previously explored in the Freshmen Academy and begin to master the 3C’s. Topics may include:
• Structure & role of local governments
• Downtown development &. our local economy
• Fairness ordinances
• Waste Management & Recycling
• Junior Academy members will focus on statewide issues and travel to Frankfort during the legislative session to meet with our local representatives and gain a better understanding of the state legislative process. Topics may include:
• Structure & role of state government
• New voting legislation
• Education & school choice
• The 2020 census & redistricting
• Senior Academy members will focus on national issues and solutions while having the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C. to learn more about our federal government and the political process. Seniors will also participate in discussions concerning the structure of the federal government and the principles of leadership necessary for effective government. Topics may include:
• Structure & role of federal government
• Immigration
• Current cases before the Supreme Court
• Electoral college & gerrymandering
• The role of the United States in world affairs

Statesmanship Academy Requirements:

• Students may only enter into the Statesmanship Academy their sophomore year of high school. 
• Students are expected to attend all Statesmanship Academy regular meetings.
• Students are encouraged to attend two additional group events outside of the school day which will include: an Owensboro City Commission or Daviess County Fiscal Court meeting, a Chamber of Commerce sponsored legislative forum (in February and March on Saturday mornings featuring our state legislators discussing current issues before the Kentucky General Assembly) or a political forum featuring candidates for elected office.
• In keeping with Senator Ford’s motto, “Serve to Learn, Learn to Serve” students are encouraged to participate in community service opportunities throughout the year.  
• We believe it is important for our students to be leaders by giving back to their community.

For more information please contact Diane Ford, Wendell H. Ford Government Education Center at fordgovcenter@gmail.com or call (270) 316-6875. Applications can be submitted via our website during our annual enrollment.