SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A local 14-year-old ninth grader is about to take her education from northeastern Pennsylvania to our nation's capital.
She will join other teens from across the country for a rare opportunity to learn about national security.
West Scranton High School freshman Cailyn Manley is just months away from embarking on quite an educational experience.
She has been chosen to participate in the national youth leadership forum on national security in Washington, D.C.
"I got a letter in the mail saying that somebody had nominated me to go. I don't know who, but it was an awesome gesture," explained Cailyn.
Cailyn is the only high school student nominated from more than 1,500 ninth through 12th graders in the Scranton School District.
High school student graduating with two degrees
"I'm just honored to even be nominated for it because it's a huge deal so it's just amazing to be thought of for it," added Cailyn.
Cailyn will join other high school students nationwide to learn how America monitors potential threats, prepares for crisis, and plans for peace.
"National security is already very interesting to me, especially because some of my family members have served in the US Army and the Navy. So, getting this has just been great," Cailyn explained.
Stephanie Vasquez is Cailyn's English teacher who offers insight into what Cailyn will experience this summer.
"Our foreign attachés, our people who work, whether they are in the military or outside of the military, working in the Pentagon, in civil service, department of state. There's so much at so many different levels, and this program exposes them to so many different levels," said Vazquez.
What made Cailyn a good candidate for the opportunity in the first place is what she manages to achieve in and out of the classroom.
Not only is she an honor student, but also a member of the school's basketball and track and field teams. Cailyn is on the right path to success and inspiring others every step of the way.
"I think she set the bar not just for freshmen but she set it for everyone in front of her and everyone who is coming after her, too. She's really setting that bar and that's really what we want to see. You know, start setting that bar not in your last year but start setting as soon as you go and keep raising that bar even higher and that's what she does every day," Vasquez added.
It will cost Cailyn roughly $5,000 to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum. She says she and her family are brainstorming on how to cover the cost.
Here's to you, Cailyn.
If you have a kid you think should be featured on Heres To You Kid!, send in a nomination online.
