I was recently nominated by my history teacher, Mr. Fred Ware, school to the Congressional Youth Leadership Council (CYLC).
I wish to thank everyone who has helped me become who I am today- my friends and family have all contributed in constructing the Ashley you all know. My optimism toward school work and community service is a direct result of what you have done to help me through the years.
On reviewing my academic performance and extra-curricular activities at school, such as the many band activites and school newspaper photographer, CYLC has not only approved the nomination but has given me an application to enroll in the National Young Leadership Conference to be held in Washington, D.C. this Fall.
At the Conference I will have the opportunity to discuss current events and issues with top policy makers in Washington, D.C. such as the State Senators and Congressmen and Women, analyze concepts, and then put them immediately to work. This program features creative decision-making simulations that challenge young minds like mine to solve problems and lead my peers through role-playing exercises in an environment that goes far beyond my traditional classroom experiences.
During this experience I will be given an even greater understanding of the roles in democracy and the responsibilities of leadership. When I do learn these, I will also learn how to apply them right here at home.I will have the opportunity to gain an inside perspective on key issues through my interaction with Cabinet secretaries, members of Congress, lobbyists, diplomats and journalists. NYLC scholars receive direct experience and guidance that cannot be found in textbooks.
Because this week of learning will be a credit to her academic achievements; this is an opportunity I want to take advantage of and have convinced myself that I will not let funds stand in the way of my going to the conference.
The first real challenge is raising the tuition fees and travel expenses to attend. Thanks to Danny's Door Service ( Kathy and Danny Baliker) I can now afford the travel expenses. They are paying for my plane tickets... ROUND TRIP!!! I can't thank them enough. I now am working on developing a way to raise the tuition by the July 10th deadline!
I was unaware that Dad had sent a letter the week I received the letter to let you all know that this was really important to me. I am so blessed to have parents that are willing to back me up no matter what comes my way. I have ambitions to make a difference. This is one way that I can follow my dreams.
I have a 3.8 GPA and I am currently getting ready for a summer of volunteer work at Monongalia General Hospital. Other volunteer activities include the many hours of helping at Mason Dixon Historical Park. (You all have helped me do so much. I find it a blessing to work with all of you every festival. It makes a difference that I have your support.)
Ever since I was little, I have had a hero... Eleanor Roosevelt... the woman that stood behind her husband and never let a little bit of bad luck put her down. I wrote a 50 page essay on her, dressed like her and the whole kit and kaboodle when I was in the 6th grade. She said some immortal words that have always stuck with me. She said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." Especially through high school, these words should make an imprint on your heart. I have often thought that there was nothing she couldn't do. She inspired people. I want to do the same.
I want to be a teacher when I grow up. The worst of that is, "grown up" isn't that far away. I hear people all the time tell me that I can do better than teaching. I know that I can. I know that teachers don't get a lot of money and that the job has its downs. I don't know what job doesn't. English has always been my passion and I write all the time. I even joined a writer's site so I can write and let the world see what I can do. The thing that no one sees about teachers is that it doesn't matter about the money! A teacher has the power to change the lives of children; whether they be children as small as 5 or as large as 25. A teacher can do so much more than pass on recycled information. A teacher can pass that information on in a new and better way than before to a child that will continue the cycle, create a legacy. I'd like everyone to see what I mean by watching
Mr. Holland's Opus or
Freedom Writers. That is what this conference is all about.
This conference is about receiving a new and better outlook on life through democracy and learning how to apply this information to your community. If you all could help me acheive this milestone, I know that you will all receive a little bit of my success.
I need $1,469 before JULY 10! * I need to take this chance of a lifetime. Please help me out. Here is a sample schedule for the conference.
http://www.cylc.org/nylc/NYLC_sample_schedule.cfm
Please help me! I thank you all for your support.
Thank You,
Ashley
* Thanks to Kathy & Dan again for covering my travel expenses.
