Corbin High School student Abbey Norvell attended the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington D.C. this month. Norvell was chosen out of 250 students from across the country to lay the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider.“Laying the wreath was utterly humbling,” Norvell said of the experience. “I ached to the core thinking of the lives lost in order for me to even stand there that day. As I put my hand over my heart and read the bittersweet words etched in white stone, I took a moment to be thankful. I took a moment to reflect on how selfless and courageous you have to be to risk your life every single day.”
Norvell was recommended by Corbin High School Teacher Kim Moore to attend the National Young Leaders Conference. She applied for the conference and was accepted. She was chosen to lay the wreath at the conference based on an essay. The program coordinators chose four essays out of 250 scholars.
“I think my essay was chosen because of its originality. It basically stated who I was and what I believed in. I led into a poem I wrote titled Freedom, which simply expressed the essence of freedom, what it means to me, and what it allows me to do. I changed it about a million times but when I made my final revision, I knew that I poured my heart into it and it best represented me.”
The National Young Leaders Conference is where high school students, from all across the country, gather for six days to learn what leadership qualities they possess and how to apply them to everyday life. Students get the opportunity to analyze how mentors and teachers view leadership qualities. At the conference, the students explored national security. They learned everything regarding national security from careers offered to how the government deals with details during a crisis.
“One very unique thing I had the chance to participate in was a simulation. The point of the simulation was to learn how the government deals with a crisis, how the different branches have to work together, and how outside forces infiltrate the inside, possibly causing corruption. The problem we had to solve was crisis and crossroads: drug trafficking in Latin America. The six parts of national security breakdown we were assigned to were: media, intelligence, diplomacy, defense, legislative, and executive. I was a part of the legislative branch and our main job was to figure out how to spend the money. All in all, it was an exhausting and exhilarating night that made me realize how much work actually goes into making this country prosper.” Norvell said.
The simulation taught the students to communicate and work together. The conference housed a group of diverse students from all parts of the United States as well as other countries. The students had to use communication skills, leadership skills, and knowledge of government to complete the activity.
The conference allowed Norvell to return to Corbin High School with a new knowledge of government, leadership, communication, and diversity. Norvell will be able to share these experiences with her classmates at Corbin High School. She commented the trip will help her to excel in her AP US Government and Business Economics classes.
During the trip Norvell also go the opportunity to visit historical sites in Washington DC. She visited the Lincoln Memorial and the World War II Memorial.