Aspiring Young Diplomat Strives To Participate In Leadership Conference

By Larissa Lytwyn

Though the daughter of American-born parents, Newtown High School sophomore Emelye Neff saw the United States for the first time only two years ago.

“I’m an expatriate,” the 16-year-old explained, adding, with a laugh, “and when I say that to people, I sometimes have to reassure them that I’m not unpatriotic!”

Born in Durban, South Africa, Emelye has lived in Nairobi, Bangladesh, and the Philippines; her parents are both third world relief workers.

“I’ve been blessed in many ways,” she said. “I’ve had the opportunity to really broaden my perspective on the world through the places I’ve lived in.”

Her perspective may soon broaden even further.

Emelye was recently accepted into the prestigious weeklong National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) in Washington, D.C. Each year, the conference draws thousands of academically outstanding and civic-minded students from across the country. A teacher must nominate a potential applicant.

Students have the opportunity to choose from one of several seminars covering topics including law, the arts, and international diplomacy.

“I am very interested in attending the international diplomacy seminar because I aspire to someday be an American ambassador or diplomat,” said Emelye.

She cited her parents as major influences both in her personal and career-oriented evolution. Her father has worked for nonprofit organizations including Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE) and most recently Save the Children. Her mother has worked and volunteered for various relief organizations including the American Embassy of Mozambique, Chad, Kenya, and the Philippines, as well as the United Nations.

“My parents have always been passionate about service towards others,” said Emelye. She loves relaying the story of how her parents, both Illinois natives, met in the Peace Corps.

“They met at a restaurant,” she said. “Being a part of organizations like the Peace Corps are so exciting — you can meet all sorts of amazing people.”

She also credited her family’s strong Christian background as a major influence in the formation of her personal values.

Though born in Durban, Emelye spent much of her time in Nairobi. “I loved the people there,” she said. “They were very warm and vibrant. I saw how similar people really are inside. Even though we appear different, there really are many core similarities.”

She described Africa “among the most beautiful places” she has ever seen.

“It could be disheartening,” she continued, “seeing this poverty amidst all this natural beauty!”

Walking through the streets of the impoverished communities, particularly Bangladesh, she said, was often heartbreaking.

“There is often no running water, no electricity,” she said. Disease and epidemics including AIDS run rampant. Areas are densely populated; people hunt tirelessly, and often fruitlessly, for employment.

While living abroad, Emelye attended a number of international schools specifically for children whose parents were involved in international relief efforts.

“We were all in the same situation,” she said. Friendships were formed quickly, she said, but often difficult to maintain, considering that families were often on the move again after a year or two.

But Emelye says she has loved and appreciated the many advantages of her lifestyle.

“I really see myself as a world citizen,” she said.

Ironically, she continued, adjusting to life at Newtown High School was markedly more challenging than adjusting to the international schools.

“It was a different kind of environment,” she said. “There were these cliques, which I wasn’t used to. People asked me what I ‘was,’ ethnically, or where I was from. It was difficult to define.”

She found her niche in the track and field team.

“I’ve definitely met some wonderful people here through my experiences with sports,” she said.

This summer, however, will mark the beginning of a new journey — beyond the NSLC conference. “My father was recently relocated to New Mexico,” she said. She, her mother, and her two younger brothers will join him before September.

“Thank goodness for email,” Emelye said with a grin. “I definitely plan to keep in touch with some of the people I’ve met here at Newtown High School.”

One challenge remains imminent.

The cost to attend the NSLC conference is approximately $2,000. Emelye’s family is struggling to acquire the $1,000 still necessary for her to attend.

“This is a great community,” Emelye said. “I’m hoping people will reach out.”

People interested in helping Emelye may contact her at kdfteddybe@yahoo.com.