Two Monticello Middle School students are among a select group recognized by the Congressional Youth Leadership Council to honor and inspire the most exceptional middle school students in Ohio and across the nation, distinguished by their academic excellence, leadership potential and maturity.

Sixth grade student Brandon Brown attended the Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, DC, earlier this month. Teacher Marian Kopp recommended Brandon for this honor. Eighth grade student Lauren Thompson joined a select group of distinguished Ohio middle school students at the end of March for the National Young Leaders State Conference in Columbus. Lauren was nominated by teacher Diana Goroncy-Sheppard.

“The aim of NYLSC is to inspire students to recognize their own leadership skills, measure their skills against those of their peers, and return home with new-found confidence in their ability to serve as future leaders,” Executive Director of the Congressional Youth Leadership Council Michael Lasday said.

In addition to the two students selected this year for state and national recognition, Monticello has had 10 students recognized by the Congressional Youth Leadership Council since 2004.

“We are so pleased to have two students representing Monticello at the state and national levels for academic achievement and leadership characteristics,” Monticello Principal Sheldon Smith said. “Brandon and Lauren personify the excellence in our school, and we could not be prouder to see their hard work acknowledged by such an esteemed organization.”

Michael Dougherty is the coordinator of communications for the CH-UH School District.