The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
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Future leader
Chelsea's Cassell attends national leadership conference in Washington
Jacqueline Smith, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: June 5, 2008
What better place for a youngster to test their ability to lead than in Washington D.C. Chelsea's Julia Cassell recently got the chance to test her leadership skills at the National Young Leaders Conference (NYLC) April 1 in the nation's capital, the home of America's leaders.
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Cassell, a Chelsea High School sophomore, was one of nine students nominated by her teacher Beverly Martin-Read last fall. It was an opportunity too good to pass up.
"I received a very formal-looking invitation in November," Cassell said. "I was excited, but a little apprehensive because I had never heard of NYLC. My parents researched the program and could only find positive information about it, so I accepted the invitation."
NYLC is a program that strengthens the leadership skills of high school sophomores, juniors and seniors, while giving the students a greater understanding of their roles in a democracy. Cassell was the only one of the nine students nominated to attend the conference.
Martin-Read said many students do not accept the invitation because of financial reasons.
"They have to pay their own way," she said. "There's no type of scholarship."
Martin-Read said she nominates students for the opportunity on the basis that they exhibit leadership abilities, take initiative, respect authority and cooperate with their peers. She says she does not always nominate when asked, but Cassell was a qualified candidate.
"Julia has a very positive attitude, an upbeat attitude about life," she said. "She's a great leader."
Once her parents drove her to the airport, Cassell figured she could take the trip by herself after a previous experience of traveling all the way to Japan. "I was a little nervous about traveling alone," she said. "I knew there would be other kids from all over the country at the conference."
Cassell stayed with two other girls, one from Missouri and the other from California, just outside of Washington at the Tyson's Corner Best Western. Meeting other students from across the country was her favorite part of the conference.
There was only one thing she didn't like.
"My least favorite part was all of the homework we had to do each night," Cassell said. "There was a tremendous amount of reading to prepare for the following day."
The conference participants underwent leadership training and had a role in simulations of different branches of government. They also toured Washington and met with many professionals such as politicians, lobbyists, journalists and judges.
One of the politicians Cassell met was U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan). She and other NYLC Michigan students had their photograph taken with Stabenow. They also walked across both the political and legislative aisle to meet U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-District 7).
Receiving the 2008 Chelsea High Underclass Award for Character and Leadership, Cassell believes that the conference helped her become a better leader. And she has seen other benefits from the experience as well.
"I was just accepted to be a Link Crew leader for next year," Cassell said. "I think the leadership training I had in Washington, along with the training we will get at school, will prepare me for this new leadership role."
Link Crew, a high school transition program which welcomes and assists incoming freshman with their first year, has the goal to create the environment for students to connect and is built on the belief that students can help other students succeed.
The program trains soon-to-be juniors and seniors as Link Leaders, so that they may serve as role models and motivators. Link Crew coordinators Cindy Rhodes and Adam French had to be selective when accepting students to train.
"The selection process was extremely competitive," said Rhodes of the first-year program. "We had more exceptional students that applied than slots available. Julia was chosen based on her leadership abilities, strength of character, personal experiences and kindness."
Cassell, who also received a nomination from a teacher for the role, will be a part of the freshman orienting process next August.
"(Julia) can really be somebody the kids can look up to," French said.
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