Sparta student selected to attend congressional student leadership conference

Terence P. Quinn, a student at Pope John XXIII High School in Sparta, has been selected to attend Lead America's 2005 Congressional Student Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. The conference is a college-accredited invitational leadership program for academically talented and promising young leaders. High school students, who have a record of academic achievement and extracurricular or community involvement, are invited to participate from across the United States and internationally. Students choose from several academic areas, including the government and politics, engineering, science and robotics, global business and entrepreneurship, intelligence, diplomacy and national security, Junior War College, crime scene investigation, law and trial advocacy, and medicine and healthcare. Through briefings and discussions with national and international leaders in the fields of study, and through realistic, hands-on simulations, students have the unique opportunity to experience leadership in action and to learn first-hand about the complexities of decision-making in a chosen field or profession. By engaging in special interactive workshops and activities, students will learn and develop leadership skills, including effective communication, conflict resolution, team building and time management. "They'll develop confidence and maturity while gaining skills that will help them achieve success in college and life. The conference commits itself to providing youth with unparalleled opportunities for personal growth, leadership and educational advancement," says Dr. Gilbert Morris, director of faculty development. "Leadership is not just for those in our government and businesses," says Chris M. Salamone, founder and executive director. "Leadership begins with our young people—in their homes, their schools, and their communities—as they seek knowledge and understanding and work to improve the world around them. Since 1989 I have had the privilege of seeing more than 30,000 exceptional students from over 51 countries learn first-hand about leadership and explore its role in a variety of educational disciplines. It's my hope that the student leadership conference will give our young leaders the skills to help them along the road toward a successful and rewarding life of leadership." Further information visitt www.leadamerica.org or call 1-866-394-5323.