For incoming Lake Orion High School freshman Tim Durack, history and government aren’t a problem, but rather a passion.
Combine these interests with leadership and you have the reason for Durack being selected as a participant in The National Young Leaders State Conference (NYLSC) sponsored by the Congressional Youth Leadership Council (CYLC).
‘The aim of NYLSC is to inspire students to recognize their own leadership skills, measure their skills against those of their peers and return home with a newfound confidence in their ability to serve as future leaders,? said Michael Lasday, Executive Director of the CYLC.
‘Its basically a state-wide meeting of eighth and ninth graders who excel in politics and government,? Durack said, noting that they will be spending time sharing their knowledge with adults that are experts in those areas.
The four-day workshop, held in Ypsilanti, will focus on eight core leadership power tools: communication, conflict resolution, decision making, goal setting, group dynamics, leadership techniques, project management and self-awareness.
Durack said that he was selected and then approved by St. Joseph, where he attended eighth grade, to participate in the workshop.
He excels in history, having taken the Explorer Test and achieving in the 99 percentile in history.
He also tested out of basic history classes at Lake Orion and will begin his high school career taking AP History, only the second student to take this class as a freshman.
Smarts don’t seem to be a problem for Durack, as he also took the ACT in seventh grade and earned a 24.
‘I am a hardworking individual who really enjoys history and social studies,? Durack said.
He said that he is most looking forward to meeting people who have similar interests.
‘I’m definitely thinking of becoming a college professor in history,? he added of his future career plans.
In Durack’s free time, he likes to play on his computer, exercise, run and play poker.
For more information about the National Young Leaders State Conference, visit www.michiganstatescholar.org.