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Atascocita student to attend inauguration
  
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By COREY L. TURNER
As the 44th president-elect Barack Obama solemnly swears to faithfully execute the Office of the President of the United States, Brooke Leone will be there to witness history.
The ninth-grade student at Atascocita High School earned a trip to the 2009 inauguration in Washington, D.C. as part of a student organization called the Presidential Youth-Inaugural Conference.
She was originally nominated by teachers to attend the Junior National Youth Leadership Council the summer following her seventh-grade year. In that program, she had the opportunity to visit Harper's Ferry, the town that was invaded by James Brown during the Civil War. The town has been converted to a historical tourist site and she had the opportunity to experience a day in the life of a person living during the Civil War.
Now she will head to the inaugural conference as an alumni.
“I am looking forward to this experience, and I am very blessed to have been nominated,” said Leone in an e-mail to The Observer.
She remains busy with school work and is actively involved in the Lady Eagles cheerleading team and Latin Club. She is also the youngest member of The Talon newspaper at Atascocita.
Guy Anderson heads the journalism program at AHS and he remembers meeting Leone for the first time while recruiting eighth-graders for The Talon.
“The way she presented herself and her maturity is what impressed me most,” said Anderson. “She really stuck out from a crowd and she is just an outstanding young lady.”
Leone’s maturity is also what helped her to stand out among students from around the county to get a chance to enjoy this unique opportunity in a unique time. It’s an experience that she is grateful for and excited to be a part of.
The five-day program is designed to give students a deeper understanding of the history behind the electoral process and the rich traditions surrounding the presidential inauguration.
It’s a process that has evolved since George Washington first appeared on the balcony of New York City’s Federal Hall in 1789 and the same can be said for the inauguration parade and ball.
“The Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference will provide students with an opportunity to take part in historic events that coincide with the inauguration of the president of the United States,” said Marguerite Regan, dean of Academic Affairs for the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, the organization that sponsors PYIC. “Something that is really wonderful about so many young people gathering in Washington, D.C. for this event is that it will provide them a chance to become more familiar with and attuned to the president who will govern our country over the next four years. We certainly hope this will inspire the next generation of U.S. leaders.”
Participating students will also have the chance to meet a range of people, including a major presidential candidate, White House officials, congressional staff members and political experts.
Leone’s experience will also be highlighted by an opportunity to attend the Black Tie Gala Inaugural Ball featuring former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and former Vice President Al Gore.
“I am certainly excited for the Black Tie Gala, but possibly only because I can't wait to go dress shopping,” Leone said. “But even more than that, I am ecstatic to have the opportunity to listen to Colin Powell give a speech as the key-note speaker.”
Leone will have to foot the bill for Washington, D.C. but she got some help from U.S. Congressman Ted Poe, who stepped up to give her three additional tickets for her parents and sister.
“My office was contacted early this year and I found out she only got one ticket that was just for her,” said Poe. “I said, ‘She has to have her family there with her,’ so we got them three extra tickets. The family is also welcome to come by and take a private tour when they arrive.”
In addition to participating in inaugural events and festivities, Leone and the other students will have the opportunity to explore the numerous historic sites and monuments in at the capital, as well as participate in roundtable discussions, debates and other activities that will help to expand their knowledge of democratic principles and the presidential election process.
It’s the perfect opportunity for an aspiring politician like Leone.
“This will be a once-in-a-lifetime trip to one of our nation’s most historic inaugurations,” said Leone. “This is all so exciting.”
Congressional Youth Leadership Council
CYLC is a nonpartisan, independent, educational organization. Since 1985, the council has inspired more than 200,000 young people to achieve their full leadership potential. For additional information, visit at www.cylc.org/pyic
The ninth-grade student at Atascocita High School earned a trip to the 2009 inauguration in Washington, D.C. as part of a student organization called the Presidential Youth-Inaugural Conference.
She was originally nominated by teachers to attend the Junior National Youth Leadership Council the summer following her seventh-grade year. In that program, she had the opportunity to visit Harper's Ferry, the town that was invaded by James Brown during the Civil War. The town has been converted to a historical tourist site and she had the opportunity to experience a day in the life of a person living during the Civil War.
Now she will head to the inaugural conference as an alumni.
“I am looking forward to this experience, and I am very blessed to have been nominated,” said Leone in an e-mail to The Observer.
She remains busy with school work and is actively involved in the Lady Eagles cheerleading team and Latin Club. She is also the youngest member of The Talon newspaper at Atascocita.
Guy Anderson heads the journalism program at AHS and he remembers meeting Leone for the first time while recruiting eighth-graders for The Talon.
“The way she presented herself and her maturity is what impressed me most,” said Anderson. “She really stuck out from a crowd and she is just an outstanding young lady.”
Leone’s maturity is also what helped her to stand out among students from around the county to get a chance to enjoy this unique opportunity in a unique time. It’s an experience that she is grateful for and excited to be a part of.
The five-day program is designed to give students a deeper understanding of the history behind the electoral process and the rich traditions surrounding the presidential inauguration.
It’s a process that has evolved since George Washington first appeared on the balcony of New York City’s Federal Hall in 1789 and the same can be said for the inauguration parade and ball.
“The Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference will provide students with an opportunity to take part in historic events that coincide with the inauguration of the president of the United States,” said Marguerite Regan, dean of Academic Affairs for the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, the organization that sponsors PYIC. “Something that is really wonderful about so many young people gathering in Washington, D.C. for this event is that it will provide them a chance to become more familiar with and attuned to the president who will govern our country over the next four years. We certainly hope this will inspire the next generation of U.S. leaders.”
Participating students will also have the chance to meet a range of people, including a major presidential candidate, White House officials, congressional staff members and political experts.
Leone’s experience will also be highlighted by an opportunity to attend the Black Tie Gala Inaugural Ball featuring former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and former Vice President Al Gore.
“I am certainly excited for the Black Tie Gala, but possibly only because I can't wait to go dress shopping,” Leone said. “But even more than that, I am ecstatic to have the opportunity to listen to Colin Powell give a speech as the key-note speaker.”
Leone will have to foot the bill for Washington, D.C. but she got some help from U.S. Congressman Ted Poe, who stepped up to give her three additional tickets for her parents and sister.
“My office was contacted early this year and I found out she only got one ticket that was just for her,” said Poe. “I said, ‘She has to have her family there with her,’ so we got them three extra tickets. The family is also welcome to come by and take a private tour when they arrive.”
In addition to participating in inaugural events and festivities, Leone and the other students will have the opportunity to explore the numerous historic sites and monuments in at the capital, as well as participate in roundtable discussions, debates and other activities that will help to expand their knowledge of democratic principles and the presidential election process.
It’s the perfect opportunity for an aspiring politician like Leone.
“This will be a once-in-a-lifetime trip to one of our nation’s most historic inaugurations,” said Leone. “This is all so exciting.”
Congressional Youth Leadership Council
CYLC is a nonpartisan, independent, educational organization. Since 1985, the council has inspired more than 200,000 young people to achieve their full leadership potential. For additional information, visit at www.cylc.org/pyic
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