By Brendan Fisher
Staff Writer
A summer break can mean many things to different students. It may mean a time of relaxation and sunshine, but to Costa freshman Duke Saunders, it means a look into his bright future.
The National Youth Leadership Forum hosts an annual program that invites students from around the country to be taught by professors from various universities.
“I wasn’t planning on applying for this program at first, but the more I looked into it and discovered the possibilities that could come with it after college, the more I wanted to participate,” Saunders said.
The NYLF offers 22 different classes, each providing its own unique aspects such as city-specified tourism.
“I had to choose one of 10 students to nominate, and after going through each student, I made the decision to nominate Duke,” Biology teacher Teresa Nielsen said.
Saunders became aware of the NYLF when Nielson mentioned that she had to nominate one out of 10 students for the program. After evaluations made by Nielsen and his peers, she chose Saunders to be the nominee.
“It was a difficult decision choosing who to nominate, but I believe that Duke was the right choice,” Nielsen said.
The course offers behind-the-scenes visits and the oppurtunity to shadow physicians at some of the most prestigious and technologically-advanced hospitals.
“What really got me into the program was the possible career choices it held for me in the future,” Saunders said.
Students must meet a series of requirements to gain acceptence into the program. A teacher or educator must nominate a student who is in grades 9-12 and demonstrates academic excellence. The NYLF also requires each applicant to submit a Feedback for Understanding Emerging Leaders form.
“His intelligence and the work he puts into everything proves that he deserves to go,” freshman Graham Lipps said.
Saunders’ parents support this decision and feel that the exposure to medicine and a college environment will be beneficial for Saunders in the future.
“We felt that it would be a great experience for him to be on the east coast and to get a taste of medicine,” Saunders’ mother, Jennifer Saunders, said.
Saunders will partake in a two-week course with in-depth learning on the basics of medicine and will receive a letter of participation. Saunders plans to use his letter to showcase his extracurricular experiences when he applies to colleges.
“We are proud of Duke for getting into this program as a freshman, and it is really up to him whether he wants to pursue medicine later on in his life or not,” Jennifer Saunders said.
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