By David Seale | Jemison Middle School

This past spring break, Jemison Middle School sixth grader Kayla Lowery joined more than 200 other middle school students from across the nation for a leadership conference in Washington, D.C.

Sponsored by the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, the week-long event introduced young people to the rich tradition of leadership throughout American history while helping them to develop their own leadership skills.

Along with taking part in educational activities and presentations, the scholars visited important sites such as monuments and museums in Washington D.C., as well as Harper’s Ferry National Historical Park in West Virginia.

“We had a chance to learn about past presidents, the good and the bad things they did, and we got to see what other leaders have done so that we can learn from them and become better leaders ourselves,” Lowery stated.

Lowery was nominated for the opportunity by her sixth grade reading teacher, Sandra Millard. “I felt that because of her academic strengths and leadership capabilities, she would really excel with such an experience,” Millard said.

The conference, called Voices of Leadership, introduced students to the impact of leadership throughout critical periods of American history including the Civil War and Reconstruction, World War II, the Great Depression and the Civil Rights Movement. Lowery named the Iwo Jima monument as among her favorites.

Along with growing as a leader, the conference helped Lowery to connect with kids her own age from all over the United States.

“The people I met were awesome. Only one other girl was from Alabama, so I made a lot of great new friends from around the country,” Lowery said. “I felt like I had known them my whole life after that week. I continue to stay in touch with many of them.”

The CYLC is a nonpartisan, educational organization and has worked with over 200,000 youths since its creation in 1985.

–Seale is the assistant principal at Jemison Middle School.