WASHINGTON, D.C. – Shawn Michael Chabot, a sixth grader at Geiger Elementary, was chosen to attend the Junior National Leaders Conference that was held this summer in Washington D.C. Shawn Michael was nominated by his fifth-grade teacher, Stephen Belleau, who recognized him as one of a select group of students with the scholastic merit, maturity and strength of character to represent Geiger Elementary School and the community at the unique leadership program for exceptional middle school students.

Shawn Michael is an honor roll student, a member of the Civil Rights Team, and he plays hockey, soccer and baseball. His interests for the future involve aeronautics and astronautics if his dream of being drafted into the NHL does not pan out.

“Being nominated and accepted to the JrNYLC has taught me that you need to work hard in order to succeed,” said Chabot. “Most of the time all your hard work pays off in the end and it did for me. I was really hoping I would get nominated so I focused on what I needed to do at school and I did it.”

After the conference, Shawn Michael said, “I loved developing my leadership skills by learning about great leaders in America’s history. The Vietnam Veterans War Memorial was one of my favorite places to see and learn about. There are over 58,000 names of U.S. service members on the Memorial Wall and to think that so many people died in that war while fighting for our country helps me to understand what it takes to be a great leader.”

More than 250 outstanding students from across the United States took part in the leadership conference which introduces young people to the rich tradition of leadership throughout American history, while helping them to develop their own leadership skills.

“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 confidence in their ability to exercise positive influence within their communities,” said Marguerite Regan, Ph.D., dean of academic affairs for the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, the organization that sponsors JrNYLC.

During the six-day program, students take part in educational activities and presentations and explore relevant sites, such as Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, West Virginia and Washington, D.C.’s museums and memorials.

In addition to examining notable U.S. leaders and historic figures, students study the impact of leadership throughout critical periods of American history including the Civil War and Reconstruction, World War II, the Great Depression and the Civil Rights Movement. Upon completion of JrNYLC, students will have gained a greater sense of the role of individuals in American democracy, as well as the responsibilities of being a leader.

CYLC is a nonpartisan, educational organization. Since 1985, the Council has inspired more than 200,000 young people to achieve their full leadership potential. For additional information, visit us at www.cylc.org.