Martinez Student Leaves For Washington, D.C. This Week

Isabella Gianatiempo will be traveling to Washington, D.C. on Aug. 4 to represent Martinez at the Junior National Leaders Conference, an annual event that gathers 250 outstanding students from around the country to introduce them to the importance of leadership.

Isabella, who is 12 years old, was nominated by her Martinez Jr. High English teacher Leslie Blum for her academic excellence and obvious leadership qualities.

In addition to the Principal’s Award for Academic Excellence, Isabella was Student of the Month last October, won the International Art Contest with Rotary International and is a dedicated dancer, training 12 hours a week at Studio A in Pleasant Hill.

The six-day Junior National Leadership Conference will take the students to various monuments and historic sites in Washington, D.C. There will also be presentations and other educational activities.

“The aim of the JNYLC is to inspire students to recognize their own leadership skills, measure their skills against those of current and former leaders and return home with confidence in their ability to exercise positive influence within their communities,” said Marguerite Regan, PhD., Dean of Academic Affairs for the Congressional Youth Leadership Council. “Young people are not only welcome in Washington, D.C., they actually help keep this city and this country running.”

The group has found an avid future leader in Isabella.

“I aspire to be a positive example to all young people and I am determined to make a difference at such a young age,” she said. “I look forward to a demanding and intensive program this summer in which I can further excel in my academic and community goals.”