Pine Tree fourth grader Brittany Levering is excited for summer to get here, but not for the obvious reason.
She has been nominated and selected to attend the National Young Scholar Program and will be traveling to Dekalb, Illinois, to participate in a six day leadership program after school gets out.
‘I was really excited when I found out,? Brittany said, ‘and I really, really, really want to thank my teacher, Mrs. Hofer, for nominating me.?
According to Brittany’s mother, Wendy, Brittany was able to choose a topic of interest within the leadership program and she has selected nature. She will work with other students to research the mystery of why animal life is decreasing, among other things.
‘I like nature a lot,? said Brittany, who thinks she might want to study sharks when she is older. ‘Whenever my friends come over, I like going on nature walks.?
Brittany also enjoys camping, biking, swimming, fishing and playing soccer, or anything she can do outside, she says.
Not only is Brittany looking forward to the leadership and nature workshop, she is also looking forward to meeting new people.
‘We get to work in groups and I like to work with other people,? she said. ‘Sometimes other people have ideas of how things might be that you might not have. It’s fun.?
Brittany, who is an all-A student, believes that she was chosen because she is a hard worker, she doesn’t talk when she is supposed to be getting her work done and she hands in all of her work on time.
‘She’s an excellent student and does great as a fourth grader,? Wendy said. ‘We are really proud of her.?
Not only is Brittany a hard worker at school, but she is also working hard to fundraise some money to offset the cost of conference by selling pizza, pie and cookie kits, along with asking for donations, sponsorships and doing can drives.
Brittany’s aunt, who owns Photos by Jeanette, will also donate proceeds if anyone wants to come get a family or individual picture taken.
Wendy said that the cost of the leadership conference is $1,780 and has to be paid by May 11.
Brittany is selling the kits until April 23 and then plans on doing some can drives.
‘This is one of those opportunities that she has a chance to go and I don’t want her to miss out on that,? Wendy added.
The Leverings ask that if anyone is interested in ordering a pizza, pie or cookie kit, making a donation or getting a picture taken by Jeanette, to please call them at (248)495-4185.
‘Brittany represents her community really well, in sports and in school,? Wendy said. ‘She will be representing her community at this, too, and I know she will do a great job.?
‘I’m really excited and I’m ready to go,? Brittany added.