LAKE PARK — A Lowndes High School sophomore, Jazmin L. Taylor was recently selected to represent the state of Georgia — and Lowndes County — as a National Scholar at the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C., April 7-12, 2009.

According to conference materials, the National Young Leaders Conference is open to high school sophomores, juniors and seniors who meet some of the highest criteria in academics and leadership.

Taylor, 14, has a cumulative grade point average of 3.375 and is enrolled in the college preparatory program at Lowndes High School. She is a member of the high school’s chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, as well as Future Business Leaders of America and the Class Cabinet.

She babysits and works part-time at Chick-fil-A in her hometown of Lake Park; finds time to help her mother, LeShaun Taylor, care for the needs of her grandmother, Bessie Hunter-Taylor, who recently suffered a stroke; dreams of someday owning her own real estate business and helping others realize their goal of home ownership; and attends church at Christian Love Ministries.

“Overall, she’s a good kid,” her mother said.

Through the National Young Leaders Conference, Taylor will have the opportunity to spend six days in Washington, D.C., where she will discuss current issues with many of the men and women who have a role in shaping the nation’s policies and laws. In addition, she will be challenged to assess problems and contribute to group discussions and to take on roles in educational simulations.

National Young Leaders Conference officials hope that through these hands-on experiences, students like Taylor will develop important leadership skills by learning to evaluate critical information, form and advocate positions and make decisions.

“I’m just really excited about being able to go to Washington, D.C., meet new people and learn new things,” Taylor said, when asked her thoughts on the conference.

The National Young Leaders Conference theme is “The Leaders of Tomorrow Meeting the Leaders of Today.”

Designed to motivate and inspire top high school students from across the United States of America, the National Young Leaders Conference is sponsored by the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, an independent, educational organization founded in 1985. To date, over 200,000 young people — representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American territories and 100 countries — have participated in council programs.

To help Jazmin Taylor fund her participation in the National Young Leaders Conference, please call (229) 296-5799. In addition to saving money from her jobs, she and her family are selling fund-raiser coupons for Belk shoppers and partnering with the folks at Sam’s BBQ on East Hill Avenue.