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Local Burlington Notre Dame Students Selected for Prestigious Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Boston, Massachusetts
BURLINGTON, IA — Mae Whipple and Cali Prichard, outstanding eighth-grade students at Burlington Notre Dame, have been selected to represent their school and community at the Junior National Young Leaders Conference (JrNYLC) at Bentley College in Boston, Massachusetts.
The JrNYLC is a premier leadership development program for middle school students from across the country. Mae and Cali were nominated for this prestigious honor by their eighth-grade Language Arts teacher, Ms. Esther Waterman, who recognized their exceptional academic achievement, leadership potential, and strength of character.
Mae maintains a spot on the school’s Honor Roll and has earned distinction as a Silver Cord Honoree for her commitment to community service. Her diverse achievements span academics, creative writing, and the performing arts, including:
Academic & Writing Accolades: Math Bee participant, Iowa Elks Association District Essay Contest (Third Place), and the Iowa Poetry Association's Lyrical Iowa Contest (First Honorable Mention).
Athletic Excellence: Burlington Notre Dame Volleyball Defensive MVP, Spirit Volleyball Offensive Player of the Year, and active participation in basketball.
Performing Arts & Community: Iowa State Fair Bill Riley Talent Search Semi-Finalist, Dance Out National Championship Overall Winner, and a dedicated member of her local Youth Group.
Mae aspires to become an orthodontist. Having worn two sets of braces herself, she understands the positive impact orthodontic care can have on a person’s confidence and self-esteem.
“My future career goal is to be an Orthodontist because I have had two sets of braces myself. I want to make a positive impact on people’s self esteem like my orthodontist helped me. It’s also a career path that blends art and science which interests me.”
When asked what she is most looking forward to, Mae shared, “Exploring Boston, meeting new people and learning skills to improve my leadership abilities to increase my self-confidence.”
Cali Prichard has also distinguished herself through her academic achievements, leadership potential, and involvement in athletics. She has consistently earned Honor Roll recognition throughout middle school and actively participates in volleyball, basketball, track, and soccer.