Fifth-grader to learn about history, leadership skills in D.C.

A Sealy Intermediate fifth-grader is taking part in something only a select number of students his age have the opportunity to experience.

Cameron Fitch is going to Washington D.C. for a week in July with approximately 250 fifth- and sixth-graders from around the country to explore the nation's capital and learn how he can strengthen his leadership skills.

"I'm really glad I get to go on this trip," Fitch said. "I'm happy I've done such a good job and done something with my smartness. I'm hoping to learn about our county's history because I love history and learn all the politics they do."

Fitch one of the several students nominated by Sealy Intermediate teacher Rita Breitbach to attend the Junior National Youth Leaders Conference.

"They're just good leadership material who have active and intelligent minds," Breitbach said. "I thought it would be a good trip for them to go to and look to them to be leaders in our future."

Students selected to attend the conference will have an opportunity to explore the museums and monuments, explore the historic Harpers Ferry, W.V. and attend a sleepover in the Maryland Science Center.

They will also tour the National Portrait Gallery American Presidents Exhibit, as well as the Lincoln, Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Memorials.

"The aim of the Junior National Youth 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 found confidence in their ability to exercise positive influence within their communities," said Mike Lasday, executive director of the Congressional Youth leadership Council.

Tuition for the trip costs $1,700, and Fitch is working hard to make sure he goes on the trip.

"He watches his brother for an hour and does odd jobs around the house for his grandparents," said Jessica Simmons, Fitch's mother. "He's been working for his Nanny and Pops, cleaning out flower beds and doing just about anything anyone would let him do."

And Fitch is hoping to receive some help from the community.

"We're looking for contributions from local individuals and businesses," Simmons said. "He will send them a thank you card, and at the end of his trip, he will send a full report with pictures showing them how they helped him learn."

For Fitch, doing odd jobs will help contain his excitement from the opportunity he is about to experience.

"I'm going to take lots of pictures, and maybe next year show them to my classmates," he said.

Copyright © 2009 Sealy Publications, Inc. All Right Reserved.
P.O. Box 480 • 193 Schmidt Rd. • Sealy, TX 77474
979-885-3562 • Fax 979-885-3564

E-mail the publisher

| News | Features | Sports | Opinion | Letters to the Editor | Obituaries |
| Calendar | Classifieds | Archives | Submit a Letter | Community Links | Place a Classified | Subscribe | TV Listings | Guestbook | About Us |
| Online Content | Financial News | Health News | Entertainment | Home |

The copyright laws prohibit any copying, redistributing,
retransmitting, or repurposing of any copyright-protected material.