Lewis-Palmer School District 38 student Diya Suri is headed to the nation’s capital this summer after winning second place in the Mountain View Electric Association’s Youth Leadership Trip Contest.
The fully-sponsored trip is awarded to the first and second place winners and will see students engage in an array of activities while visiting Washington, D.C.
Suri will travel in June, then report back to the Mountain View Electric Association following the trip with a report on the experience.
D38 engaged Suri in a Q&A session to learn more about the honor:
HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT THE CONTEST?
I found out about this contest through the OCN(Our Community News) magazine that goes out to the community, and then I researched it online!
WHAT WAS THE PROCESS OF APPLYING/COMPETING?
I had to fill out a basic application with personal information and the extracurriculars I participate in as well as any awards or honors I have. I also had to write three short essays about leadership, including one about what being in an electric cooperation meant to me. I did a lot of research to write these essays, and worked on them for over a month.
CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT DROVE YOU TO TAKE THE TIME TO APPLY?
After learning about the program online, I was extremely interested in potentially winning a trip to Washington D.C. and getting the opportunity to meet senators and other important leaders. I’ve been wanting to learn how to become a better leader and use my leadership skills to take more of a role in making our community better, and this seemed like the perfect way to do that!
HOW EXCITED ARE YOU FOR THIS TRIP, AND WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU WILL LEARN BY GOING THROUGH THIS EXPERIENCE?
I am extremely excited to attend this trip! I am especially excited to experience Washington D.C. after completing AP US History, as I have a deeper understanding of what came before and how it affects us today. I think that this will be an amazing opportunity to learn different skills and techniques that can be applied to leadership, and gain a better understanding of how to be an effective leader.
DID YOUR TIME AT D38 PREPARE YOU FOR THIS HONOR?
Yes, it definitely did! All of my English classes in high school, especially AP Lang this year with Mr. Frost, have helped me improve my writing and learn different techniques to effectively communicate. I’ve also gained valuable research skills through Speech and Debate at Palmer Ridge with my debate partner Cole Wickert and our coach Mrs. White.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SAY TO THE INDIVIDUALS AT MOUNTAIN VIEW WHO SELECTED YOU FOR THIS HONOR?
Firstly, I would like to say thank you! I am extremely excited that I have the opportunity to go on this trip, it means a lot to me. I will do my best to not only learn but apply everything I learn to our community when I am back and I will definitely be sharing what I learn with others!