Neosho student Katie Glover had a nice surprise when she got home on her last day of middle school.
Glover received a letter in the mail informing her that she was nominated to attend the National Young Leaders State Conference and travel to Washington, D.C.
“It’s for my grades and outstanding leadership,” Katie said.
The letter said the nomination is based on Katie’s “high level of scholastic aptitude,” “maturity” and “strength of character.”
“You both should be very proud,” the letter said to Katie’s parents.
Katie previously attended school at Sacajawea Elementary in Great Falls, Mont. She has only attended Neosho Middle School since last August, but her mother said she’s already made an impact.
“Every kid, just about, knew who she was and recognized her for her upstanding within the class,” said Ginger Glover, Katie’s mother. “They always do that thing, you know, voted “Most Likely to Succeed” or most likely to do [other good] things. When they did their count this year, their different categories, Katie’s name continually came up.”
When Katie visits Washington, D.C., she’ll see a Smithsonian museum, Harper’s Ferry, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and attend seminars and workshops.
What she’s looking forward to the most, though, is observing Capitol Hill.
“Visiting Congress is something I’d really like to see, to see how they all work,” Katie said. “I think it’ll be a once-in-a-lifetime thing to go and actually visit them.”
Katie’s trip will be via plane on July 3-8, so her first trip to Washington, D.C. will include Independence Day.
Besides her high grades, this year Katie entered a writing contest and has been continuously eligible as a Neosho Middle School superstar. She was also recently nominated for a Daughters of American Revolution award.
For now, Katie is looking for sponsors to help cover the costs of the $2,000 trip to Washington, D.C.
“We’re not looking for full compensation, but just a little bit to take the sting off would be great,” Ginger said.
On that last day of school when Katie received the letter, she said she was shocked and had tears of joy.
“I always thought teachers knew the bad kids’ names, but I guess they know the good kids’ names, too,” Katie said.
An account has been set up to assist Glover with the cost of her trip. Persons wishing to donate can do so at U.S. Bank in Neosho. The account is under the name, Katie Glover.
