Laurel Desrosier ‘10 to Attend Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference in D.C.
Laurel Desrosier ’10 will attend the Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference (PYIC) in Washington D.C. from Saturday, January 17 to Wednesday, January 21 as an alumna of the National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF). The four-day conference, held every four years to coincide with each presidential inauguration, provides a select number of high school students with the opportunity to witness firsthand one of our country’s most celebrated ceremonies. By exposing alumni of the Congressional Youth Leadership Council and NYLF to national journalists, congressional staff, political experts and scholars, and military leaders, the PYIC intends to inspire and challenge our country’s future leaders with direct experience that can’t be found in classrooms and textbooks.
Laurel’s involvement with the NYLF began in the eighth grade, when her humanities teacher nominated her to represent The Sage School at NYLF’s state conference. As an attendee, Laurel debated important and relevant current events and participated in activities that explored how to overcome barriers between cultures through respect and communication. She learned that successful leadership involves a delicate balance between following one’s convictions and listening to others.
Although the PYIC’s schedule of events is exciting, the historic nature of this inauguration makes it even more thrilling. “It’s overwhelming in a good way,” admits Laurel, who says she most looks forward to the inauguration itself and to hearing the PYIC’s keynote speakers, General Colin Powell, Vice President Al Gore, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Although she is sad to miss the Academy’s Winter Festival Dance, she’ll be attending the Black Tie Gala Inaugural Ball, where she just may witness President Obama’s first dance with the First Lady.
Laurel is interested in politics but isn’t sure if she wants to pursue it as a career. She’s thankful for this incredible opportunity and is eager to learn as much as she can from her fellow inaugural scholars and from the many influential leaders she’ll meet. She is honored to represent the Academy and hopes to share her experience at the PYIC with the BUA community in an upcoming All-School Meeting.
