Teen to participate in leadership conference

Nicole Shaver

Nicole Shaver of Oak Park has been selected to participate in the National Young Leaders Conference (NYLC) in Washington, D.C., from March 15 to 20.

NYLC is a leadership development program for high school students who have demonstrated leadership potential and scholastic merit. Shaver will be one of approximately 400 scholars from around the country.

The theme of NYLC is "The Leaders of Tomorrow Meeting the Leaders of Today." Throughout six days, Shaver will interact with personnel who operate within the three branches of government, the news media and the international community.

Complementing a schedule of special meetings and briefings, Shaver will participate in a number of leadership skill-building activities and simulations. In one role-play activity titled "If I Were President," students act as the president and cabinet members responding to an international crisis.

Students also participate in "Testing the Constitution," in which they examine actual Supreme Court cases. The Conference culminates with the Model Congress in which the scholars assume the roles of U.S. Representatives and debate, amend and vote on proposed mock legislation.