Ralph Brown, a seventh-grader at the Newton County Theme School, was nominated to represent his school and classmates as a member of the Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C.

The conference will host over 250 outstanding middle school students from across the country.

This year’s conference is themed “Voices of Leadership: Reflecting on the Past to Create the Future.”
The aim is to introduce young people to the rich tradition of leadership throughout American history, while helping them to develop their own leadership skills.

The program is six days long and students will 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 monuments and museums.

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

In addition to examining notable U.S. leaders and historic figures, students study the impact of leadership throughout critical periods of American history including the Civil War and Reconstruction, World War II, the Great Depression and the Civil Rights movement. Upon completion of the program, students will have gained a greater sense of the role of individuals in American democracy, as well as the responsibilities of being a leader.

“It is an honor for me to be nominated and accepted into the JrNYLC,” Brown said.

Brown is active in both his school and church, Poplar AME Church in Mansfield.

At church, he serves as junior steward and sings in the youth choir.

At school, he is president of the Beta Club, member of yearbook staff, anchor on the school news team, trumpet player in the school band, member of the Reading Bowl team, member of the drama club, member of the math team, a peer helper and an all “A” honor student.

Brown lives in Covington with his mother, Paulette Brown and grandmother, Marie Brown.