Hello!!! My name is Jake, and I am a seventh grader at Thurman White Academy of the Performing Arts in Henderson, Nevada. I have recently been nominated by my history teacher, Mrs. Radosevich, for the Junior National Young Leaders Conference (JrNYLC).

JrNYLC is a conference that helps to develop leadership skills, improves confidence in public speaking, and enhances your problem-solving abilities. Students that have the privilege of attending this event will have the choice of visiting Washington, D.C., Atlanta, GA, Boston, MA, or San Francisco, CA. If I can attend, my preference would be to visit Washington, D.C.

The six-day conference will have special daily events ranging from leadership simulations to the exploration of our nation’s capital. I most look forward to being in Washington D.C., where I will learn about U.S. politics and our country’s history. This is an amazing opportunity to gain leadership experience for my future.

My fourth-grade teacher, Mr. Milliken is the best teacher I have ever had who taught me about what being a leader really means. What I remember most is the importance of perseverance. Every leader and successful individual had to overcome numerous challenges to get where they are now. He taught me that no goal is too high for anyone to reach for. You keep at it, and you can achieve it. This is why I want to go to Washington D.C. at thirteen years old. I’ve set my sights high and already know, I want to go to an Ivy League school, specifically Princeton University.

I am originally from California, but we moved to Nevada for better opportunities like this. I want to be the best leader I can be. With this program, I can see myself taking on roles like a president, possibly a CEO, a captain of a ship, or most importantly, a teacher. I feel that this conference will set me up for the best chance of success in the future and will also be an eye-catcher on my resume. Please consider supporting me, and thank you for your time and consideration.