This fall, outstanding high school students from across the United States are taking part in a unique leadership development conference in Washington D.C. and local resident Roy Dike is among them.

During the six-day program, the National Young Leaders Conference (NYLC) will provide scholars with the opportunity to interact with a variety of personnel who operate within the three branches of government, the news media and the international community.

“NYLC prepares students to serve our country well, whether that means as elected officials in our nation’s capital, as active members within communities around the world or as intelligent, creative and responsible members of the work force,” said Mike Lasday, executive director of the Congressional Youth Leadership Council (CYLC), the organization that sponsors the Conference. “Through a series of simulations, we place these young leaders in the proverbial driver’s seat on a variety of issues facing our country today. Their determination, as shown within the Conference, is a good indicator of the types of leaders we will see in the future.”

Past highlights of this program have included welcoming remarks by a current or former member of Congress, made from the floor of the House of Representatives – a privilege that is seldom afforded to other groups. Students have also had opportunities to interact with prominent members of the Washington press corps at the National Press Club, in addition to meeting with senators and representatives or appointed staff members to discuss important issues facing the nation.

To complement the schedule of special meetings and briefings, students will participate in a number of leadership skill-building activities and simulations. In one role-play activity titled “If I Were President,” students act as the president and cabinet members responding to an international crisis. Students also participate in “Testing the Constitution,” in which they examine actual Supreme Court cases. The Conference culminates with “Model Congress,” in which scholars assume the roles of U.S. Representatives, and debate, amend and vote on proposed mock legislation.

Dike, 17, is a senior at McIntosh High School where he is a member of the Chamber Choir. Currently he is a participant in Student Leadership Training (SLT) at Peachtree City United Methodist Church, and he is a leader for the middle school youth at the church as well. Dike is the son of Roy and Dr. Christie Dike. He has one sister, Princess Dike.

CYLC is a nonpartisan educational organization. Since 1985, the council has inspired more than 200,000 young people to achieve their full leadership potential. Nearly 400 members of the U.S. Congress join our commitment by serving on the CYLC Honorary Congressional Board of Advisors. In addition, more than 50 embassies participate in the Council’s Honorary Board of Embassies.

For additional information, visit us at www.cylc.org.

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