Sandy Hook Elementary School student Jada Connelly has been selected to attend a National Youth Leadership Forum in Boston, Mass., this summer called “Pathways to STEM.”

The event is an Envision program by WorldStrides. According to its website, envisionexperience.com, its programs help students explore interests and learn beyond the classroom.

Jada said in a recent phone interview that she is excited for the experience.

The fourth grade student was nominated to attend the forum by Sandy Hook School Library/Media Specialist Katie Mauro.

“In addition to participating in CARES Club on campus, Jada is also passionate about softball,” an announcement for the leadership program reads. “She plays on the Newtown Thunder local travel team. With dreams of being an FBI agent, Jada is looking forward to gaining the hands-on detective work and crime scene investigation experience that the forum provides.”

According to the release, participants in the program learn about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics in an environment designed to challenge assumptions.

For Jada, attending the forum will be her first time being away from home, according to her mother Julie Connelly.

“Jada has always been really interested in crime scene investigation. She wants to be an FBI agent,” Julie Connelly said.

Jada said she is “really excited” to attend the forum, and she said she is interested in becoming an FBI agent because her father, Mike Connelly, is a police officer.

Education Editor Eliza Hallabeck can be reached at eliza@thebee.com.