Alex Hart, a Lapeer East High School senior with a career goal of being involved in National Security, was selected to participate in an elite six-day national student forum in Washington, D.C. in October.Hart was selected as a junior in high school to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum on National Security from October 13-18.
Only 300 students from around the country were selected for this inside look at the country’s current fight against foreign and domestic threats.
The conference included lectures, small groups and even one-on-ones with senior CIA, FBI Department of Defense, and National Security Administration officials.
“We were busy from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on different topics from different services,” Alex said.
On the last day of the forum, the students came together for a simulation of a real world crisis and the need to coordinate a plan of action and the writing of national policy.
“I applied for and received the position of Director of the CIA and head of National Intelligence,” Alex said. “This provided me the opportunity to grow as a leader and established my decision to pursue a career in National Security.”
As part of the exercise, students had to make decisions on troop movements and sensitive foreign relations issues.
During the week, students took field trips to many embassies and other national sites of interest.
After graduation, Alex is applying to attend the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He has already spent a “Day with a Cadet” at the academy which solidified his goal of attending.
