Coalition names Korty for West Point meet

MADISON – The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) has selected Isabel Korty to attend the Frances Hesselbein Student Leadership Program at the United States Military Academy at West Point on Oct. 24-28.

Korty is a sophomore at James Clemens High School. She is one of only 14 students selected nationally among hundreds of Student 2 Student (S2S) members.

The coalition’s S2S program is a student-led organization that welcomes incoming students to their school and helps departing students prepare for their next school. S2S eases transitions and creates a positive environment, Jessica Thibodeau said. Thibodeau is the coalition’s marketing and communications manager.

Madison City Schools has initiated the Junior Student 2 Student (JS2S) program for grades 7-8 and S2S for grades 9-12. These youth respond to critical needs for transitioning students.

Coalition officials judged Korty on commitment to her S2S program at James Clemens, extracurricular activities, volunteer and work experience and leadership potential. Korty and other student delegates can return to their campuses to help in sustaining their S2S program.

The Military Child Education Coalition established the Hesselbein Student Leadership Program in 2006. The program offers an intensive experience for selected students to enrich their leadership and civic responsibility skills.

In order to qualify, Korty and other students had to be active participants in the S2S program and currently a sophomore or junior at their high school.

Through long-standing partnerships with the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the U.S. Air Force Academy, students applied to attend the week-long event either during fall or spring semester.

The program encourages character development and helps students develop the skills to apply what they learn. Academy faculty members and cadets will lead personal, small-group experiences for Korty and her peers.

Participating students gain confidence, competence and commitment to return to their campuses ready to share with fellow students, Thibodeau said.

The Military Child Education Coalition, a 501(c)3 global nonprofit organization, focuses exclusively on the well being and needs of America’s approximately 4 million military and veteran-connected children. For more information, visit MilitaryChild.org.