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CARLYNTON SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Three Carlynton High School upperclassmen recently spent five incredible days in the nation ’ s capital as delegates to the 2017 Envision Impact Series : Presidential Inauguration Leadership Summit . Senior Mia Caruso and freshmen Benjamin Carothers and Camryn Kwiatkoski departed for Washington , D . C . mid-January for a life-changing , history-making opportunity .
As affiliates of the leadership conference , Mia , Ben and Camryn were among 2,500 teens from 30 countries to witness the inauguration of Donald Trump , the 45th president of the United States . Ben , as he watched and listened to the ceremonies , said there was a big difference in physically being on Capitol grounds rather than watching it on television . “ The impact was much greater ,” he said . While the atmosphere on the Capitol green was upbeat , protesters were not far away . Ben , Camryn and Mia admitted it was interesting to watch how strongly people felt on both sides of the continuum . Mia was interviewed by a CBS news reporter shortly after the inauguration . The interview was published on CBS Snapchat and Instagram .
As delegates for change , the students attended numerous presentations and informational sessions over the five-day period . They listened to worldrenowned speakers , from the likes of Colin Powell , retired four-star general of the U . S . army , Spike Lee , award winning writer , director , actor and producer , and Amy Wamback , all-time leading scorer in international soccer history .
Ben said he appreciated comments made by Colin Powell who encouraged him and others in the audience to “ do your best every day .” The theme driven home by Powell , “ leadership is followship ,” conveyed the message that a good leader must also know how to follow .
Standing out above others , Camryn and Mia said they admired and were inspired by a speech given by 19-year old Malala Yousafzai , a human rights activist who campaigns for the rights of women to receive an education . In 2012 , Yousafzai , of Pakistan , was shot by the Taliban in an assassination attempt while traveling home from school . Ziauddin Yousafzai , a Pakastani diplomat and father to Malala , gave the keynote address during a luncheon and career fair held on the concourse of the Eagle Bank Arena located on the campus of George Mason University . The trio were impressed by the career fair which offered ample pathways to career choices .
The conference ’ s message was clear : to empower next generation leaders as they uphold a journey to realize their potential . In break out sessions , Mia , Ben and Camryn had the chance to debate powerful issues involving national and global challenges in regards to leadership , health care and curing the future .
The summit ’ s schedule , though rigorous , was not all hard work . Students had a chance to explore many of the museums and
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Discovering the key to leadership through hard work was the theme of the Leadership Summit . Camryn Kwiatkoski valued the time spent in the Eagle Bank Arena where a number of world-renowned speakers imparted a message of empowerment .
Senior Mia Caruso , with the Capitol Building behind her , was interviewed by a CBS reporter following the inauguration of our 45th President of the U . S .
Ready for the exclusive Inaugural Gala , Benjamin Carothers stands tall in the Smithsonian National Museum of Air and Space .
monuments in the city and attended a dinner and formal gala in the Smithsonian National Museum of Air and Space .
The teens said they returned to Carlynton with an exposure to differing political viewpoints and a determination to make a difference .
All three students are well on their way to taking those steps . Mia , who attended a national security summit at the Pentagon in 10th grade , maintains good grades while balancing numerous extracurriculars . She is co-captain of the varsity cheerleading squad , a member of the girls ’ ensemble and track team and she will perform in her fourth spring musical later this month . Mia is also a lifeguard for the Special Olympics swim team . She plans to study political science in college .
Ben , enrolled in scholars and advanced placement classes , is vice president of the National Honor Society , a member of the boys ’ soccer team , debate club and ski club . Camryn , also a scholar and AP student , is president of junior high student council . She has studied dance from a young age and will perform as Louisa in this year ’ s production of The Sound of Music .
The Presidential Inauguration Leadership Summit is held every four years during the week of the presidential inauguration . The 2017 summit marked the ninth year of engaging teens and empowering them to discover their passion , explore careers and realize dreams .