Canon-McMillan Student to Walk in Footsteps of U.S. Leaders

This spring and summer, more than 250 outstanding middle school students from across the United States will take part in an extraordinary leadership conference in Washington, D.C.—including one from Canon-McMillan School District.

'Themed Voices of Leadership,' the conference introduces young people to the rich tradition of leadership throughout  American history, while helping them to develop their own leadership skills.

Dominic Dodson, a sixth-grade student at North Strabane Intermediate School, was nominated by his principal, Mark Abbondanza, and his gifted support teacher, Christine Sill, to participate.

A straight A student, Dodson is also involved in the gifted program, was a participant of the Calcu-Solve competition in 2012, was a member of four championship Lil Mac Football teams, was a member of a national championship Lil Mac Football team, the district's travel basketball program, Woflpack travel baseball team, and the SMAC AAU Basketball program.

Dominic is the son of Will and Danielle Dodson of Canonsburg.

“The aim of the Junior National Young Leaders Conference is to inspire students to recognize their own leadership skills, measure their skills against those ofeurrent and former leaders and return home with new ability to exercise positive influence within their communities,” said Dr. Marguerite Regan, Dean of Academie Affairs for the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, the organization that sponsors JrNYLC. “Young people are not only welcome in Washington,  DC., they actually keep this city and our country running.”

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 US. leaders and historic figures, students study the impact of leadership throughout critical periods in American history including the Civil War, World War II, the Great Depression and the Civil Rights Movement.

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