10th Grader Samantha Alvarez to Attend LeadAmerica's Congressional Student Leadership Conference

Sixteen-year-old student of Valencia High School, Samantha A. Alvarez, has been chosen to attend this summer's prestigious Student Leadership Conference on Intelligence, Diplomacy & National Security in Washington D.C.

Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) May 19, 2006 -- Samantha A. Alvares, 16 year-old student of Valencia High School, has been selected to attend the 2006 Congressional Student Leadership Conference (CSLC), sponsored by LeadAmerica, this summer; to be held at the Catholic University in Washington D.C.

The CSLC is a college-accredited invitational leadership program for academically talented and promising young leaders from across the United States and internationally. Exceptional high school students with a record of academic achievement and extracurricular or community involvement, are invited to participate.

Students select an academic area to study, choosing from among Government & Politics, Engineering & Robotics, Global Business & Entrepreneurship, Intelligence, Diplomacy & National Security, Junior War College, Crime Scene Investigation, Law & Trial Advocacy, and Medicine & Healthcare. Or, they may attend Leadership University, an in-depth, intensive leadership development conference for young leaders who want to challenge themselves to excel and realize their full potential. Through briefings and discussions with national and international leaders in the fields of study and realistic, hands-on simulations, students experience leadership in action and learn first-hand about the complexities of decision-making in a chosen field or profession. By engaging in interactive workshops and activities, students learn and develop vital leadership skills, including effective communication, conflict resolution, team building and time management.

Samantha is excited about the opportunity to take on the challenge of creating a domestic policy on Anti-Terrorism, this year’s simulation for the Intelligence, Diplomacy & National Security program. “It’s like following in my Papa’s footsteps,” she states softly, her deceased grandfather, Manny Estrella, having been an Intelligence agent of the Philippines prior to immigrating to the United States in the 70’s. Her mother, recording artist and writer, Joy Estrella, reminisces with a smile, “Yes, her grandfather was sooo James Bond..." adding, "...we are very proud of Sammie and all her achievements.”

“Leadership is essential to a student's future success,” says Chris M. Salamone, Esq., Founder and Executive Director of LeadAmerica. “It is the key to what they do with their lives and how well they do it. In today's world, it is imperative that we nurture leadership potential from a very young age. Leadership can make important differences in the lives of teenagers -- in their academic and personal performance, in their acceptance to the college of their choice, and in their level of focus, passion and purpose.”

LeadAmerica is the nation's premier youth leadership organization. Its mission is to transform the world's next generation of leaders by educating, inspiring and instilling in them ethical and principled leadership values, attitudes and skills. With a rich history dating back over 17 years, LeadAmerica is committed to educating and empowering young leaders. Each of its high school conferences are college-accredited and its programs are approved activities of the National Association of Secondary School Principals. LeadAmerica sponsors the Congressional Student Leadership Conference for high school students, the National Junior Leaders conference for middle and junior high school students, the World Youth Leadership Conference with study abroad programs in China and Russia, and the Washington Summer Scholars program, a college-level academic program held in cooperation with American University.

Further information on LeadAmerica and the CSLC can be found at www.lead-america.org or by calling 1.866.FYI.LEAD (394.5323).

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