Lauren Wilson attends leadership conference in Washington, D.C.

The six-day program was held earlier this month and focused on notable leaders during crucial points in American history such as the Civil War, the Great Depression, and World War II.

‘It was awesome to see first-hand the history behind our country and to learn how we play an important role in our future,’ said Wilson. ‘I hope to become a great leader one day and I am proud to be an American.’

Wilson, 11, is a rising sixth-grader at Warren County Middle School. She attended Eastside Elementary from kindergarten to fifth grade and was nominated by Eastside teachers to attend the conference, officially called the Junior National Young Leaders Conference.

‘The aim of the Junior National Young Leaders Conference is to inspire students to recognize their own leadership skills, measure their skills against those of current and former leaders, and return home with new-found confidence in their ability to exercise positive influence in their communities,’ said conference spokesman Mike Lasday.

Wilson says she met many new friends in Washington and enjoyed learning more about American history. She is the daughter of Dewayne and Melinda Wilson and has a younger brother named Logan.