Sixth Graders Step Up
To the National Stage
By Richard Radford

While older people might be worried about political or social apathy among younger generations, some children are stepping forth and showing their stripes.

Damon Fulcher and Ellen Manby, both sixth graders at the South Royalton School, recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the Junior National Young Leaders Conference.

The week-long program is designed to educate outstanding students about the traditions of leadership in the country, as well as to help foster their skills as leaders in their own schools.

Damon and Ellen were nominated to attend the conference by educators in their school, who saw qualities of leadership in their interactions with their peers and in classes. The two were picked among more than 250 middle school students across the United States and Canada to take part in the conference.

Over six days Damon and Ellen traveled to various historic locations in and around the nation’s capitol. With a hectic schedule, they were able to see and learn as much as they possibly could in the time of the visit.

"We learned all about past presidential houses and leaders," Damon said. "We even got to go to the Smithsonian [Museum], but we were so busy we didn’t get to go to every part."

"It was a really wonderful experience," Ellen said.

In addition to seeing the sights and learning about history, the kids also met with peers to talk about what they could do in their schools and communities to take strong leadership roles.

"The leadership focus groups were pretty intense," Damon said.

Ellen agreed with her fellow student: "We did a lot of work," she said. "Sometimes we met four or five hours a day."

Although some of the youth in attendance were able to meet with political representatives from their own regions, Damon said that during their visit the Vermont politicos were all hot on the campaign trail back at home.

Although both Ellen and Damon said they are undecided about whether they will pursue politics in the future, both agreed that the experience was rewarding. To show an interest at such a young age, the two students at the very least are a fine example.

For the present, Damon and Ellen have said they plan to attend the alumni meeting of the conference, and they may get involved in other national leadership groups in the near future.

"There are bigger programs, global ones," Ellen said. "It might be cool."