Five James I. O’Neill High School students, including 16-year-old West Point resident Brandon Harper, have been selected to attend The National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C.

The conference runs from Tuesday until Feb. 25 and is a program for high school students who have demonstrated leadership potential and scholastic merit to learn leadership development.

The college-bound student said he thought the experience was a great opportunity.

"I hope to learn more about our government, acquire some new leadership skills and see the sights of Washington," said the member of the school band and yearbook staff.

Harper is president of the Keystone Club, a leadership group of high school students at the West Point Youth Services Center. His involvement in church activities and the Boy Scouts also contributed to his selection, said Mary Levy, a history teacher at O’Neill.

"Those were unique activities for someone his age," she said. "His leadership in those areas helped."

She said Harper should do well at the conference based on the abilities he has already shown.

"He is a wonderful student, and we have high expectations for him," Levy said. "He will be among the best in the country, and he will fit in well."

The theme of the NYLC is The Leaders of Tomorrow Meeting the Leaders of Today. Throughout the six-day conference, Harper will interact with key leaders and newsmakers from the three branches of government, the media and the diplomatic corps.

Highlights of the program include welcoming remarks from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives and a panel discussion with prominent journalists at the National Press Club. Harper will also meet with senators and representatives or an appointed member of their staff to discuss important issues facing the nation.

"The National Young Leaders Conference provides an opportunity for students like Brandon Harper to distinguish themselves as tomorrow’s leaders," said Michael Lasday, executive director of the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, the organization that sponsors the NYLC. "Scholars not only gain knowledge and experience in the nation’s capital, they leave with a sense of accomplishment and an increased ability to face the challenges of the future."

The CYLC is a non-profit, nonpartisan educational organization. Founded in 1985, it is committed to fostering and inspiring young people to achieve their full leadership potential. More than 425 members of the U.S. Congress join this commitment by serving on the CYLC Honorary Congressional Board of Advisors. Each year, 7,000 youth nationwide participate in the 20 sessions of the NYLC.