Local Teen Travels To Washington

Sarah Harmonay of Sandy Hook is currently participating in the National Young Leaders Conference (NYLC) in Washington, D.C., which began July 30 and runs to August 9. The NYLC is a unique leadership development program for high school students who have demonstrated leadership potential and scholastic merit. Sarah is one of approximately 400 outstanding scholars from around the country at the conference.

Throughout the session Sarah is interacting with a variety of personnel who operate within the three branches of government as well as the news media and the international community. Sarah is participating in a number of leadership skill building activities and simulations. The conference culminates with a model congress, in which the scholars assume the roles of US representatives and debate, amend, and vote on proposed mock legislation.

Students like Sarah also have the opportunity to interact with prominent members of the Washington press corps at the National Press Club, in addition to meeting with senators and representatives or appointed staff members to discuss important issues facing the nation.