Akwesasne’s Dale George-Conners chosen to attend U.S. Presidential Inauguration

Akwesasne’s Dale George-Conners, age 14, was recently chosen to attend the Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference (PYIC), based on her academic achievement and leadership abilities. Dale is the daughter of Lesley George and Michael Conners Jr. The Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference provides high-achieving students the opportunity to witness the responsibilities of leadership while commemorating a truly historic event - the presidential inauguration.

Dale, a ninth grader at Salmon River Central High School, participated in The National Young Leaders State Conference (NYLSC) held in Syracuse this past September, and will participate in the National Conference this coming June, in Washington D.C. The NYLSC is sponsored by the Congressional Youth Leadership Council (CYLC), an independent, non-profit educational organization dedicated to identifying and nurturing leadership. Dale was chosen from thousands of CYLC alumni to attend the Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference (PYIC) this coming January.

Held every four years in January following the presidential election, the Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference provides inaugural scholars with a unique experience as they take part in and share firsthand in the excitement and ceremony of the inauguration of the President and Vice President of the United States.

Those chosen to participate are invited to attend private Inaugural Conference events and activities such as roundtable discussions with national journalists, meetings with congressional staff, and point/counter point debates with leading political experts, as well as special events with VIPs, including a major Presidential candidate.

Inaugural scholars also take part in the traditional ceremony of the inauguration itself, as they witness the official swearing-in of the President of the United States, and view the inaugural parade as the President, Vice President and their families make their way from the U.S. Capitol to the White House. The scholars are invited to attend a Black Tie Gala Inaugural Ball.

The Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference is designed to educate, motivate and inspire students by giving them a deeper understanding of the electoral history of the United States, as well as their roles in democracy.

Through interaction with congressional staff, national journalists, leading decision makers, renowned scholars and military leaders, PYIC scholars receive direct experience and guidance that cannot be found in textbooks.