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ZEBULON - Jake Maddox, Pike County High School Freshman has been selected to participate in the National Youth Leadership Forum on National Security. Outstanding high school students from across the nation will take part in this unique career development opportunity, the National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF): National Security - Diplomacy, Intelligence & Defense, an Envision program. The forum, held each spring in Washington, D.C., introduces students to firsthand experiences and challenging career options in national security and related fields.
The curriculum is based on actual world events. Throughout the program, students develop critical thinking, leadership abilities and public speaking skills to tackle the complexity of national decision-making in the face of a challenge, crisis or conflict.
“Through specialized simulations, the program puts students in the driver’s seat to plan for peace and preparing for crisis,” said Marguerite Regan, Ph.D., Dean of Academic Affairs for Envision and NYLF National Security. “The combination of interacting with professionals and with other students in this setting ensures that future leaders are being developed so that our nation’s future remains bright.”
Students also have the opportunity to meet with highly respected policy makers, military leaders and other experts in the field. Leading institutions - the CIA, the Pentagon, the U.S. Naval Academy and a variety of embassies, for example - have opened their doors to students, giving them a behind-the-scenes view of national security in action. An exclusive career fair provides students with insight into national security career options and connects them with representatives from federal agencies and service academies.
Jake states that he is looking forward to testing his skills during the intense crisis role play and to hearing from four star Army Gen. Keith B. Alexander, USA(retired), former National Security Agency Director. Jake works hard to maintain a 4.0+ GPA while playing basketball and baseball for Pike County High School. He is a member of Northridge Church in Thomaston and in his free time enjoys fishing and hanging out with his friends and family. Jake is the son of Meredith and Billy Maddox of Zebulon and the grandson of Elaine and Ted Moody of Zebulon and Jolynn Maddox and the late Charles Maddox of Thomaston. His great-grand parents are Ruby and Bob Jones of Stone Mountain and Joseph Hammonds of Thomaston.
The NYLF is a nonpartisan, nonprofit educational organization that sponsors highly specialized career-oriented programs for outstanding high school students who demonstrate leadership potential.