Whiz Kid: Taylor Kesicki

Whiz Kid

Taylor Kesicki, a student and Katonah resident.

Whiz Kid Accomplishment

Kesicki is heading to Washington, DC on May 19 to take part in the Junior National Young Leaders Conference. The Junior National Young Leaders Conference offers mature, high-achieving middle school students, who are nominated by their teachers, the opportunity to learn about leadership by studying the leaders of the past and by focusing on social advocacy to make a positive impact in their homes and communities.

Whiz Kid Key to Awesomeness

Students will not only tour and visit historical sites, but will also have the honor of meeting and working along side Congressional and political leaders.

Kesicki said he's looking forward to the week-long conference. "I'm especially looking forward to going to the White House residence," said Kesicki "I hope I get to meet President Obama."

Conference leaders include Mary Beth Tinker, who was the plaintiff in the landmark Supreme Court case Tinker vs. DesMoines, where the court ruled that students in public schools do have First Amendment rights. Through an examination of both different historical time periods and characteristics of leadership, students will gain a better understanding of what it takes to become an effective leader.

His parents, Susan Carmichael and Ronald Kesicki, are excited for the opportunity their son will have and are looking forward to Taylor getting an understanding of what it really takes to become a leader. His mom also hopes that his favorite childhood book—So You Want to be President, by Judith St. George—will be signed by Obama.

"He's loved that book since he was three—I had to read that book to him every night for years before he could read it on his own, and it's a long book," said Carmichael. "I hope he can get it signed by President Obama."

Taylor said that would be "pretty cool."