Local Student Leaders Travel To Nation's Capital For Leadership Conference
By Molly Daly
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- 5 Philadelphia-area teenagers set-off Sunday morning for a week long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., part of an 8-week program that aims to connect young people with the education and training they need to succeed.
Market Manager Deborah O'Brien says the local Bank of America Student Leaders will join more than 200 others from around the country at the summit, which promises to be action-packed.
"Everything from leadership training programs, great speakers, tours of Capitol Hill, of course, the tourist attractions," O'Brien says. "It's chock full of a lot of hard work, and we're excited to see them off today."
O'Brien says the students, 2 recent graduates and 3 going into their senior years, were chosen based on their leadership and commitment to social justice in their communities.
Isaac Takyi-Buachie says it's a great opportunity.
"I'm actually hoping to build my network, and keep a great connection afterwards,"Takyi-Buachie says.
Sandy Tang, who loves history, says she's looking forward seeing the monuments and museums, but she's also focused on the future.
"I'm just really looking forward to meeting other teens who are similarly motivated," says Tang. "and get their perspective on the world, and how they plan on changing it."
Student Leader Kathryn Wang says the program is already paying dividends.
"It's been a really great experience. This is my first actual job and internship, and it's given me a lot of good work experience, Wang says. "I work at the Philadelphia Youth Network (P.Y.N) as a programs intern, and I get to see a lot about how a non-profit works."
Since its launch in 2004, the program has served 50 local teens, and 2,200 nationwide.
This year's Philadelphia-area Student Leaders:
-Maye-gae Brown, a Philadelphia resident and rising senior at Mastery Charter High School
· William Herzog, a Malvern resident and recent graduate of Great Valley High School
· Issac Takyi-Buachie, a Philadelphia resident and rising senior at Northeast High School
· Sandy Tang, a Philadelphia resident and recent graduate of Central High School
· Kathryn Wang, a Chalfont resident and rising senior at Central Bucks South High School
