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Mick McGlone and Tyler Wendt among leaders in DC
More than 250 outstanding middle school students from across the United States took part in a leadership conference in Washington, DC. Two Our Lady of Mount Carmel School students were nominated and accepted to the 2008 Junior National Young Leaders Conference. Mick McGlone and Tyler Wendt, both seventh graders at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, attended the six-day conference in Washington, DC.
“The aim of the Junior National Young Leaders Conference is to inspire students to recognize their own leadership skills, measure their skills against those of current and former leaders and return home with new-found confidence in their ability to exercise positive influence within their communities,” said Mike Lasday, executive director of the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, the organization that sponsors JrNYLC.
The students boarded a bus for a day trip to Philadelphia to study the events, leaders and values involved in the formation of the United States. Dividing time between a guided walk of the sites of Independence Mall and presentations and exhibits at the National Constitution Center, they investigated the critical factors that led to the Declaration of Independence. In exploring this rich historical period, they focused on the ways in which the U.S. Constitution influences life in the United States - and how citizens influence the Constitution.
The scholars examined Washington DC's rich history of leadership in a series of studies of some of the capital's most important sites. After a walking exploration of the seat of the country's legislative branch, Capitol Hill, they looked at the Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Lincoln Memorial and stopped for a photo opportunity at the White House.
Over just a few short days, Tyler Wendt and Mick McGlone saw national monuments, explored historic Philadelphia, experienced the story of John Brown at Harpers Ferry, participated in historical reenactments and delved into key leadership concepts. Now that the two students have successfully completed JrNYLC, additional leadership opportunities are open to them for the future: the Junior Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference (JrPYIC) and the Junior National Young Leaders Conference Alumni Boston (JrNYLC Alumni Boston).
Upon returning home, both boys had a greater sense of understanding of the role of individuals in American democracy, as well as the responsibilities of being a leader.
“I learned through my experience at the Conference that leadership is not just one trait; it takes multiple traits combined to make a person a great leader,” said Tyler Wendt.
The school located at 205 Oak St., Boonton.
Photo courtesy of Wendy Wendt
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School students Tyler Wendt, left, and Mick McGlone attended the 2008 Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, DC.
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