Learning About Leadership

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Newtown High School student Jessica Yakush was recently selected to participate in the National Young Leaders Conference (NYLC) in Washington, D.C., from February 17 to 22.

NYLC is a leadership development program for high school students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and leadership potential. Jessica will be among 400 young scholars from across the United States attending the conference.

“We often hear from members of Congress, political appointees, and members of Washington’s press corps that it is a privilege to meet and interact with students like Jessica Yakush because they are the face of our country’s future,” noted Michael Lasday, executive director of the Congressional Youth Leadership Council (CYLC). The council is the organization that sponsors the conference.

Highlights of past conferences have included welcoming remarks from the floor of the US House of Representatives and a panel discussion with prominent journalists at the National Press Club. In addition, students will have the opportunity to meet senators, representatives, or appointed staff members to discuss leading national issues.

To complement the schedule of special meetings and briefings, Jessica will also take part in a number of leadership skill-building activities and simulations. In one role-play activity titled “If I Were President,” students act as the president and cabinet members responding to an international crisis. Students also participate in “Testing the Constitution,” in which they examine actual Supreme Court cases. The conference culminates with the “Model Congress,” in which scholars assume the roles of US Representatives and debate, amend and vote on proposed mock legislation.

Founded in 1985, CYLC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan education organization committed to fostering and inspiring young people to achieve their full leadership potential. More than 400 members of the US Congress join this 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 www.cylc.org.