Holley Roberts, Charger Staff
Few students at Cookeville High School are lucky enough to attend the National
Youth Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., but those who have are eager
to tell about it; they’ll talk an ear off about the experience!
Among those attendedees are Ben Pauli, Merry Davis, Celeste Elmore, Scott Faw,
Chelsea Stringer, Suman Natarajan, Amanda Nixon, Tyler Huddleston, Jonathan
Uhles, and Spencer Huddleston.
“I went to the NYLC totally clueless about politics and learned more about
our government in one week than I have in eleven years of public education,”
said Merry Davis, who represented CHS at the conference this fall.
The goal of the NYLC is to “provide high school juniors and seniors with
the opportunity to explore the workings of democracy, meet with distinguished
leaders and see the nation’s capital.” Founded in 1985, NYLC has over
375 members of Congress on its board of directors and allows the partaker an
inside look at Washington, D.C.
Graduates of the program receive valuable scholarship and internship opportunities
and return home with an unsurpassed sense of accomplishment. They meet with
Senators, Representatives, expert journalists, inspirational speakers and talented
leaders from all over.
Some
of the activities include tours of the National Press Club, Capitol Hill, Arlington
Cemetery, Union Station and the Smithsonian. Every moment of every day is occupied;
in other words, boredom is never a concern.
The conference isn’t all hustle and bustle. Participants are surrounded
by intriguing people from across the nation. After returning home, new friends
often keep in touch.
Junior Suman Natarajan called it “a great experience that sparked my interest
in government and almost convinced me to pursue politics; I met some really
intelligent people and gained insight about their different viewpoints.”
Not only is the NYLC a trolley ride through D.C., but it also allows for experiment
and exploration of government processes. One simulation, “If I Were President,”
gives each student a role such as President, Chief of Staff, Secretary of State,
etc. They then form groups and advise the President on a question of foreign
policy. The President makes his decision and presents it before a mock press
panel.
During the week, the activity most talked about and studied for simulation
is “The Model Congress,” wherein a bill is proposed, studied, lobbied
for or against and taken to Congress. Role-plays for this activity include Speaker
of the House, testifier, lobbyist and others.
Through a single week of the NYLC, one returns to his community better prepared to tackle the leadership responsibilities required of him and hopefully embarks on some lifelong friendships. Congratulations to all who have attended the conference and good luck to all who will!
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