Page 8 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • June 23, 2010 Area Committee members named by John Koster The Wyckoff Township Committee strongly endorsed Harriet Shugarman as a new member of the Wyckoff Environmental Committee and Bill Butler as a new member of the Wyckoff Shade Tree Commission at their recent meeting. “It continues to gratify me that when we have vacancies on the boards, we have no shortage of quality people, highly qualified people who step up,” Mayor Rudy Boonstra said. Township Committeeman Christopher DePhillips said that Shugarman, who is active in Sicomac School activities and has spoken about climate issues on the federal level as well as the local level, is “probably more qualified in environmental issues than everybody in this room put together.” He added that he looked forward to her expertise in applying to state and county agencies for grants to acquire land and foster environmental projects. Township Committeeman Kevin Rooney said that Butler, a professional in the tree business, was another valued expert and would be an asset to the Shade Tree Commission. Township Committeeman David Connolly confessed that he had originally balked at involving Wyckoff in the Sustainable New Jersey project because of the number of man-hours involved, particularly during the nightmare of budget preparation. But Connolly said that when Wyckoff Environmental Commissioner Brian Bigler stepped forward and volunteered his own time, the whole project became both viable and desirable. Justin Nicholas of Franklin Lakes, Class of 2011, has been selected to participate in the National Student Leadership Conference on Intelligence & National Security this summer at American University. Nicholas will attend the conference providing career based leadership development for outstanding high school students. During the conference, he will attend specialized workshops and classes designed to develop the skills and traits that define a leader. Leading professionals and professors from top colleges facilitate the programs and engage the students in hands-on activities that provide students with a day-in-the-life understanding of a prospective career. Trips and tours also enhance the student’s experience, by tailoring them to their specific conference. Nicholas will also have the opportunity to meet with and learn from recognized leaders. Past special guest speakers have included: Secretary of Education Rod Paige; U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona; Secretary of Nicholas to attend conference Justin Nicholas Defense Robert Gates; CIA Director Michael Hayden; Secretary of Veterans Affairs James Nicholson; Supreme Court Justices Anthony Kennedy, David Souter, and Sandra Day O’Connor; U.S. senators, U.S. representatives, governors, and ambassadors; and leaders in the fields of medicine, business, engineering, diplomacy, law, politics, journalism, and the arts. This year, thousands of high school students from across the United States and around the world will find themselves immersed in a learning environment unlike any they have ever experienced. These young leaders spend time with other highachieving students who share the same drive to succeed. Then they will return to their schools with increased potential and newly developed abilities that will enable them to make a positive difference in their communities. “Students develop a sense of independence and responsibility,” said Dr. Paul M. Lisnek, NSLC leadership professor and former assistant dean of Loyola University Chicago School of Law. “They leave with a true feeling of accomplishment and confidence in their ability to handle the challenges that lie ahead.” The National Student Leadership Conference is entering its 21st summer, continuing with a mission: Identify and recognize outstanding young leaders from around the world, and provide them with a unique learning environment that encourages not only academic achievement, but also diversity, cooperation, and social responsibility. The NSLC was established in 1989 and offers leadership conferences to high school students from around the world. Areas of emphasis include: mastering leadership, law and advocacy, medicine and health care, entrepreneurship and business, journalism and mass communication, forensic science, international diplomacy, U.S. policy and politics, international business, intelligence and national security, engineering, theater, and sports and entertainment management.