Local Students to Attend National Student Leadership Congress

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l-r: Juan Miguel Lopez, Ian Quinn, Sofia Delpozo, Xitlali Estrada, Julie Corona and Alicia Lankford.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Students from eight local high schools who are enrolled in University of Arkansas Educational Talent Search program have been chosen to attend the 27th annual National Student Leadership Congress in Washington, DC. The Council for Opportunity in Education will hold the Congress June 11-16. The local students will be among 150 rising high school juniors and seniors selected from Upward Bound and Educational Talent Search programs, two of the seven federally-funded TRiO college access and success programs serving almost a million students in the U.S. and its territories.

The local students attending this year’s conference are:

• Kayla Reese, from McDonald County High School in Anderson, Missouri
• Levi Ball from Rogers Heritage High School 
• Juan Miguel Lopez  from Springdale High School
• Ian Quinn from Green Forest High School
• Sofia Delpozo from Northside High School in Fort Smith
• Xitlali Estrada from Gentry High School 
• Julie Corona from Rogers High School
• Alicia Lankford from Lincoln High School.

A prime focus of the Congress is to develop service-oriented leaders and to empower students to advocate for educational issues that affect their communities and the nation.

Kayla Reese, left, and Levi Ball

This year, students will be hosted at Georgetown University. The six-day residential program at the university will focus on its on-going commitment to social justice and college access, as well as launch a comprehensive institutional diversity and equity initiative, which includes scholarships and supportive services for students. 

Along with cultural trips to D.C. monuments and museums, students will meet members of Congress or their staff, and will be connected to TRiO alumni in the district, who will highlight their transition to and experiences in college, as well as share how TRiO programs prepared them for professional jobs on Capitol Hill.  

Students will also take part in a Mock Congress.