Lake Highlands High School student Yoel Zehaie with U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions

Lake Highlands High School student Yoel Zehaie’s recent trip to Washington, D.C. capped off a year-long experience learning how our nation’s government works from an insider’s perspective. But Yoel and other Dallas students participating in the Texas Leadership Forum had a distinct advantage – they had Congressman Pete Sessions, Honorary Chairman of TLF, to show them the ropes.

Sign up for our newsletter!

* indicates required

“The Texas Leadership Forum is about engaging young minds to consider, challenge, and thoughtfully articulate the public policy debates facing our government as they develop their leadership skills for service in the future,” said Sessions.

The students were selected for the program based on outstanding applications, which included resumes, essays, and recommendations by teachers, principals or community leaders. Then they attended local forum meetings during the school year, completing projects and writing about what they’d learned.

Flying to the nation’s capital was the highlight, with the kids touring the Pentagon, INTERPOL, Arlington National Cemetery, the Taiwanese Embassy and other historic sites and monuments. They also heard from several Washington leaders, including Congressmen Allen West and Mario Diaz-Balart from Florida and Quico Canseco from Texas.

“These students have proven their commitment to learning and contributing to their communities,” added Session, “and the opportunity to see Washington firsthand will aide them in future goals of civic responsibility and leadership.”