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This summer, Hunter Young from Bogalusa will join other outstanding elementary school students from across the state to take part in a unique academic and career oriented development experience, the National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF): Pathways to STEM, taking place in Dallas, Texas.

NYLF Pathways to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) is one of the Envision by World Strides family of programs that enable students to explore their interests and experience learning beyond the classroom.

Hunter, a student at Enon Elementary School, was nominated by his third grade teacher, Mrs. Thomas.

As evidenced by being an honor roll student, Hunter excels in reading and math. According to his parents, Jesse and Jessica Young, Hunter aspires to work in science and engineering fields when he grows up. He is very much looking forward to gaining hands-on experience in the NYLF and to interacting with his future colleagues. However, Hunter is not focused only on academics. He is also passionate about sports and plays baseball with the little league teams in Franklinton.

Students who participate in the forum have the opportunity to work with other motivated students in an environment designed to help them challenge assumptions, meet new people, and grow. At NYLF Pathways to STEM, students build the confidence and skills needed to excel in the classroom while gaining exposure to STEM fields and concepts. They learn how to adapt to and communicate in new situations, to new challenges, and with new people, which, given how rapidly the world is changing due to technology and innovation, are essential skills for success.

Hunter was recognized even further when Jim Adams, vice president of the Bogalusa Lions Club and president of the Washington Parish Library Board of Control, learned about Hunter’s opportunity. Adams petitioned the Lions Club to help Hunter’s family with the costs. The Lions Club decided to donate $1,000 to Hunter to help with the costs of attending the National Youth Leadership Forum.

The Lions Club presented the donation to Hunter on Thursday, May 20, at the Bogalusa Library. However, the donation did come with a hitch; Adams, an electrical engineer by trade, instructed Hunter that after the forum, he wanted Hunter to attend a Lions Club meeting and tell the club about his experiences at the forum, to which Hunter readily agreed.