Marissa Husnik of North Branch will join 200 middle school students from throughout the United States at the Junior National Young Leaders Conference (JrNYLC) Apr. 23-28 in Washington, D.C.

Marissa is the daughter of Terry and Joan (Valla) Husnik and the granddaughter of Reeda Valla of Meadowlands, Minn. and June Husnik of Forest Lake.

Marissa is a sixth grader at North Branch Middle School. She was nominated for the honor by her fifth grade teacher, Steve Ogren.
Themed ìThe Legacy of American Leadership,î the Conference introduces young people to the rich tradition of leadership throughout American history, while helping them develop their own leadership skills.

Husnik will participate in educational activities and presentations led by individuals in high-level positions as well as young people who exercise leadership skills within their communities. Students will also rub elbows with elected officials and key Congressional staff members on Capitol Hill, and will visit historic national landmarks.

ìThe aim of the Junior National Leadership Conference is to inspire students like Marissa Husnik to recognize their own leadership skills, measure their skills against those of current and former leaders and return home with newfound confidence in their ability to exercise positive influence within their communities,î said Mike Lasday, executive director of the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, the organization that sponsors JrNYLC. ìYoung people are not only welcome in Washington, D.C., they actually keep this city and our country running.î

Marissa has organized two successful coat drives and a food drive. She was a member of the local Girl Scouts for five years and maintains an ìAî average in school.

Marissa spent last summer, fall and winter raising the money she needs to travel to the conference. She sold three books of donation coupons and with the help of her two sisters sold 1,500 candy bars.

ìI would like to thank the North Branch Holiday Station store for helping me by selling an additional 600 candy bars, the North Branch Rotary Club, the VFW Post 3044 and Auxiliary from Meadowlands/Cotton area, the Meadowlands Chapter of The Western Fraternal Life Association, and Mr. and Mrs. Herb Lindgren of Toivola, Minn. for their generous donations,î Marissa said. ìI would also like to thank all the friends and family that helped to make this trip possible. Last but not least I wish to thank Mr. Steve Ogren for his believing in me enough to nominate me for such a great honor.î

CYLC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization. For more information go to www.cylc.org.

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