Emily Stenger, a sophomore at Mehlville Senior High School, will participate in the National Rifle Association’s ninth annual Friends of NRA Youth Education Summit next week.

The Youth Education Summit is a six-day, all-expense paid educational experience that will be conducted from June 14 to June 20 in Washington, D.C., for outstanding high school sophomores and juniors.

While in Washington, D.C., Emily will learn the significance of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights while developing an understanding of the government and the importance of actively participating in it, according to a news release.

Emily was selected from numerous qualified applicants from across the country.

She was required to complete an extensive application, which included the submission of transcripts, writing an essay about the Second Amendment and obtaining three personal recommendations.

Emily was on her school’s swim team her freshman and sophomore year. She was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes this past year and has been named president of the group for the next school year.

Emily is active in her local Youth Hunter Education Challenge and will compete on both the state and national level this summer. She also is active in the St. Louis Irish Arts, a music school that promotes traditional Irish music. She will attend a two-week seminar and competition in Ireland in August.

Emily hopes to attend the St. Louis College of Pharmacy after graduation to obtain a doctorate in pharmacology.

The Youth Education Summit, now in its ninth year, was launched by the NRA in an effort to encourage America’s youth to become active and knowledgeable citizens at both national and local levels. All funding for the program is provided by the NRA Foundation through monies raised by the Friends of the NRA.