TOLEDO—Jessica McVicker, a senior at St. Ursula Academy, attended the 2008 Congressional Student Leadership Conference (CSLC) on Global Business & Entrepreneurship, sponsored by LeadAmerica.

The CSLC is a college-accredited invitational leadership program for academically talented and promising young leaders from across the United States and internationally. Jessica joined other exceptional high school students with records of academic achievement and extracurricular or community involvement who were invited to participate in the summer program.

The CSLC on Global Business & Entrepreneurship is a 10-day leadership program in which students learn to build and operate a business. From developing a product concept to analyzing the competitive landscape, students learn what it takes to ensure success.

In a hands-on learning environment, Jessica and fellow students developed and executed a full-scale business plan and “sold” their idea. They learned and practiced important leadership skills such as creative thinking, negotiation and public speaking.

“The conference was an experience of a lifetime. It helped me grow as a leader and as a person. Not only did I make connection with business professionals, but I also learned business strategies that I can use in my future career,” Jessica says.