Ryan Johnson, a sixth-grade student at Century Middle School in Thornton, will be representing his school at the Junior National Young Leaders Conference (JrNYLC) in Washington, D.C., from Dec. 9-14. Ryan was nominated to attend this prestigious event by Mr.
Kurt Helfrich, his fifth-grade teacher at Hunters Glen Elementary School.
In preparation for this event, Ryan was asked to write an essay on leadership and what makes a good leader. Ryan said in his essay, "The traits, I believe, define a good leader are having a strong personal presence, being smart, brave, trustworthy, a never give up attitude, honesty, someone easy to understand and very motivating."
Ryan continued, saying, "
John Elway,
Martin Luther King Jr, and
Abraham Lincoln all exemplify the traits of a good leader".
Ryan has always been interested in history, which he says comes from his mom,
Angi Johnson, who is a history teacher at Legacy High School. He is very anxious to attend this conference and hopes to "learn more about the history of our country."
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LOCAL STUDENTS TO WALK IN FOOT STEPS OF U.S. LEADERS
Junior National Young Leaders Conference Offers Historic Perspectives
WASHINGTON, D.C. - This fall over 250 outstanding middle school students from across the United States and Canada will take part in an extraordinary leadership conference in Washington, D.C. Themed
The Legacy of American Leadership, the Junior National Young Leaders Conference (JrNYLC) introduces young people to the rich tradition ofleadership throughout American history, while helping them develop their own leadership skills.
"The aim of the Junior National Young Leaders Conference is to inspire students to recognize their own leadership skills, measure their skills against those of current and former leaders and return home with new found confidence in their ability to exercise positive influence within their communities," said Mike Lasday, executive director of the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, the organization that sponsors JrNYLC. "Young people are not only welcome in Washington, D.C., they actually keep this city and our country running."
During the six-day program, scholars take part in educational activities and presentations, as well they may meet with elected officials and key Congressional staff members on Capitol Hill. Students also visit historical sites, such as Harpers Ferry, the National Museum of American History and Washington, D.C.'s monuments and memorials.
In addition to examining notable U.S. leaders and historic figures, students study the impact of leadership throughout critical periods of American history including the Civil War and Reconstruction, World War II, the Great Depression and the Civil Rights Movement. Upon completion of JrNYLC, students gain a greater sense of understanding of the role of individuals in American democracy, as well as the responsibilities of being a leader.
CYLC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization. Since 1985, the Council has inspired more than 200,000 young people to achieve their full leadership potential. Over 430 members of the U.S. Congress join our commitment by serving on the CYLC Honorary Congressional Board of Advisors. In addition, more than 40 embassies participate in the Council's Honorary Board of Embassies.
For additional information, visit us at www.cylc.org.