Student Recognized As National Young Leader

By Larissa Lytwyn

Kaelyn Eckenrode has been selected to attend the National Young Leader’s Conference (NYLC) from August 4 to August 14 in Washington, D.C. NYLC is a unique leadership development program for high school students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership potential and academic scholarship. Kaelyn will be among 400 peers from around the country to attend the conference.

The theme of this year’s program, “The Leaders of Tomorrow Meeting the Leaders of Today,” reflects students’ opportunity to interact with key elected officials, political appointees, and newsmakers from national government, the media, and the international community.

“While some students are reading about leadership in books, Kaelyn Eckenrode will participate in the National Youth Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C., to learn directly from individuals in leadership,” said Michael Lasday, executive director of the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, the organization that sponsors the conference. “Students will interact with members of Congress, Washington’s press corps, and key appointees to continue formulating their ideals and leadership skills. We look at each of these students as colleagues, in whose hands the future of our country lies.”

Highlights of the program will include welcoming remarks from the floor of the US House of Representatives and a panel discussion with prominent journalists at the National Press Club. Kaelyn will also meet with senators and a representative or appointed member of their staff to discuss important issues facing the nation.

To complement the schedule of special meetings and briefings, Kaelyn will also participate in a number of leadership skill-building activities, including a program called “If I Were President,” in which students role-play as president and cabinet members responding to an international crisis. Students will also participated in a judicial simulation called “Testing the Constitution,” in which they examine actual Supreme Court cases. The program culminates with “Model Congress,” in which students assume the roles of US Representatives and debate, amend, and vote on proposed mock legislation.

For additional information about this program, visit www.cylc.org.