Madras teen chosen for national leadership program

Bailey Brown, 17, of Madras, is among fifty students nationwide who have been selected to participate in the Four Star Leadership program, offering leadership training, policy debate, speech competition and scholarships, and the opportunity to engage with national and global leaders, July 12 -19 in Oklahoma City.

Brown, a senior this fall at Madras High School, was chosen for her demonstrated leadership abilities and outstanding character. She is the Cadet Command Sergeant Major of the Junior ROTC program, and captain of the cheerleading team.

Former Commander-in-Chief of American and coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, General Franks will host the camp, and guest speakers at the conference will include Oklahoma Lt. Governor Todd Lamb, Attorney General Scott Pruitt, and multiple Olympic Gold medalist Michele Smith. Round triptravelfor Brown and all participants in the program has been generously provided by PepsiCo, Inc.

Since 2008, “Four Star” has welcomed more than 250 high school students from all over the U.S., and 30 international students. Kings, governors, senators, Olympic Gold medalists and top national policy experts have mentored students in developing and demonstrating the core leadership principles of the program: character, common vision, communication, and caring.

Each session will follow curriculum designed to develop leadership skills and challenge students through team-building exercises, collaboration, spontaneous problem solving and competition. Excursions during the week will provide participants opportunities to further develop and employ those skills through cultural experiences and service projects.

“This life-changing learning experience is the finest kind of investment in a young person’s character, education and commitment to a lifetime of leadership,” said Gen. Franks.

This year’s Four Star Leadership Congressional Debate competition offers students expert policy briefings so they may address those issues in persuasive speech and editorial contests, while collaborating in a model Student Congress.Topics to be debated are the Affordable Care Act, Global Warming versus economic growth and the minimum wage.

Four Star Leadership with General Tommy Franks is an all-inclusive program (tuition, room, board, travel and fees) that is free to the selected students. Four Star Leadership provides an avenue for recognition, scholarships and letters of recommendation.

Competition finalists will be awarded scholarships to be applied at the college of their choice. Four participants who successfully complete the program will have an opportunity to receive a full-tuition scholarship to the University of Texas in Arlington and every student will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to develop their leadership potential.

Co-hosts for the conference are the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA), Oklahoma Christian University , and the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs .

For more information, please visit http://fourstarleader.com/ .