A Great Opportunity for a Great Son.

The National Junior Leadership Summit

We didn't know what it was when we opened the invitation that came in the mail. We had never heard of "Lead America" before then. It didn't take much longer than reading it though to think this was something we had to check out.

The invitation was for Maxene's son Olivier to attend the National Junior Leadership Summit this summer in Washington, DC. It wasn't until later that we found out that it had come via one of Olivier's teacher's recommendations to Lead America, the educational foundation that produces it. (We later found out who the teacher was, and have thanked her profusely.)

(image of US Capitol by Chuck Bolen)

(images of Summit Closing Ceremony by Maxene Harlow)

Recommendations to Lead America are made by select teachers across the country. They are based on academic achievement and leadership potential. Lead America sponsors a number of programs that are experiential leadership conferences for middle and junior high school students. Each focuses on a particular field of study and gives students the opportunity to learn about the subject, meet practitioners in the field, and explore career possibilities. (About Lead America here.)

Olivier attended the first Leadership Summit conference in June. It took place over 10 days, where the attendees, about 180 of them, were housed at American University. That worked out quite nicely for us as we were able to spend that time with my son, his wife and my 19 month-old grandson, who live in the area.

The invitation first came to us last December. Upon research, we quickly made arrangements for Olivier to attend, and as the time got closer we became progressively more excited about the opportunity for Olivier. He had not been to our nation's capitol before. From time to time during the run-up to the conference, I sometimes wondered if it was more of an educational experience, or more of an organized sight-seeing tour. The daily schedule was a balance of both, it appeared.

As it turned out the conference was both an education, and a lot of excellent exposure to things Washington. It's greatest benefit may prove itself in years to come. It is a terrific confidence building and networking experience. Olivier's summit-mates were from 30+ states, and fast friends in 10 days many of them made. They are still text messaging each other heavily daily.

Each days schedule was wonderfully packed with a balance of classroom and US Government visiting activities. There were government and security simulation problems they worked on, much debate and daily briefings. Senator Chuck Hagel spoke to the attendees about leadership at length, as well as other US Government leaders from the FBI, JTTF, and the US State Department.

The students attending the Summit saw most key Washington Monuments and Memorials at night, and visited Mount Vernon, Capitol Hill, the White House, Pentagon, United States Naval Academy and Arlington National Cemetery. Of those Olivier liked the Pentagon and Annapolis the best.

In addition to the Leadership Summit, Lead America also has specific career conferences on the following:
Advanced Medicine - Med School Prep
Aviation & Aeronautics
CSI: Forensic Science
Defense & Military Strategy
Engineering & Robotics
Global Business & Entrepreneurship
Intelligence & National Security
Law & Trial Advocacy
Media & Journalism
Medicine & Healthcare
Theatre Arts

We'll be going back next year, us to visit our family, and Olivier to attend his next Lead America conference. So far "Law and Trial Advocacy" is the first choice. And we're looking forward to Olivier attending already.