Ms. Presson goes to Washington
Maya Presson, 15, of Sicklerville will attend the 2009 National Young Leaders Conference (NYLC) in Washington D.C. from July 18 to 27.
This is her first trip to the nation’s capital.
At the conference, students from across the nation learn about the three branches of American government, meet with politicians and role-play leadership positions through mock congressional sessions.
Maya, who will be a tenth-grader next year at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, was surprised to find out she was selected for the young leaders conference. She said she’s looking forward to learning more about leadership and how the government works.
“I was shocked, because I really wasn’t sure if they would select me. It’s really meant a lot to me,” she said. “I’m excited and nervous to go away from my family for ten days.”
Her basketball coach at Paul VI, Donna Harris, nominated her for the conference. Harris, who also teaches math at the school, described his point guard as a bright student and a sportsman-like athlete with a lot of potential. She has been on the varsity team since her freshman year.
“She probably drives herself harder than anyone else would drive her. She is a good athlete, a good person, a good student and one of those kids you just want to see blossom, because you know it’s in there,” Harris said.
Maya enjoys math, history and French class and hopes to lead in her community someday.
“I just like to help people and have a positive effect on everybody around me,” she said.
Her mother, Darlene Presson, is excited for her daughter and hopes Maya is inspired to achieve leadership positions in life through the conference.
“I hope she gets an appreciation for the way government works, as well as the independent skills of going away on her own,” she said.
To nominate a student, teachers and community members write to the NYLC about the leadership qualities of high-achieving high school sophomores, juniors and seniors.
About 24 conference sessions are held year round, and an average session holds between 300 to 400 students. The tuition for the summer program is $2,290.
NYLC director of communications Carmen McClaskey said the conference’s goal is to encourage leadership learning and develop a commitment to social responsibility. After each lesson, students are taught how they can take the information they learned back into their community to make a positive difference.
“It’s an empowering experience because the students learn that there are other students like them who care about what is going on in the world and want to make a difference,” McClaskey said.
In addition to meeting leaders in Washington, students explore the three branches of government by visiting sites all over the capital, and participate in simulated congressional sessions and international crises.
In these simulations, students role-play, writing mock amendments, delivering speeches and lobbying mock bills in the Department of the Interior building.
“The students walk away with self-confidence [and] a concept of what’s possible, and meet with other student leaders from all across country,” McClaskey said.
At the conference, students from across the nation learn about the three branches of American government, meet with politicians and role-play leadership positions through mock congressional sessions.
Maya, who will be a tenth-grader next year at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, was surprised to find out she was selected for the young leaders conference. She said she’s looking forward to learning more about leadership and how the government works.
“I was shocked, because I really wasn’t sure if they would select me. It’s really meant a lot to me,” she said. “I’m excited and nervous to go away from my family for ten days.”
Her basketball coach at Paul VI, Donna Harris, nominated her for the conference. Harris, who also teaches math at the school, described his point guard as a bright student and a sportsman-like athlete with a lot of potential. She has been on the varsity team since her freshman year.
“She probably drives herself harder than anyone else would drive her. She is a good athlete, a good person, a good student and one of those kids you just want to see blossom, because you know it’s in there,” Harris said.
Maya enjoys math, history and French class and hopes to lead in her community someday.
“I just like to help people and have a positive effect on everybody around me,” she said.
Her mother, Darlene Presson, is excited for her daughter and hopes Maya is inspired to achieve leadership positions in life through the conference.
“I hope she gets an appreciation for the way government works, as well as the independent skills of going away on her own,” she said.
To nominate a student, teachers and community members write to the NYLC about the leadership qualities of high-achieving high school sophomores, juniors and seniors.
About 24 conference sessions are held year round, and an average session holds between 300 to 400 students. The tuition for the summer program is $2,290.
NYLC director of communications Carmen McClaskey said the conference’s goal is to encourage leadership learning and develop a commitment to social responsibility. After each lesson, students are taught how they can take the information they learned back into their community to make a positive difference.
“It’s an empowering experience because the students learn that there are other students like them who care about what is going on in the world and want to make a difference,” McClaskey said.
In addition to meeting leaders in Washington, students explore the three branches of government by visiting sites all over the capital, and participate in simulated congressional sessions and international crises.
In these simulations, students role-play, writing mock amendments, delivering speeches and lobbying mock bills in the Department of the Interior building.
“The students walk away with self-confidence [and] a concept of what’s possible, and meet with other student leaders from all across country,” McClaskey said.
