Courtney Cowger, a seventh-grader at Lindale Middle School, was chosen by her guidance counselor and principal to attend the Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C.

To qualify for this nomination students must show leadership and role model skills.

"I was surprised that I got nominated. I didn't know that this kind of opportunity existed. It made me feel special that I was intelligent enough to be with other students that had such high academic standards", said Courtney.

Courtney along with students from all over the United States attended the conference.

During the week long...