By Laura Lane
This is the second year that Harding, 17, was chosen to be a part of the National Student Leadership Conference, a leadership development program for outstanding high-school students.
Harding, who will be a senior at Calhoun High School this fall, said the program improved his leadership abilities, but he believes that the experience gave him even more.
"The mental challenges in the program have brought me into myself, matured me as a person into who I am," said Harding. "And I met so many interesting and diverse people. You learn that the world is so homogenous and that success comes in many ways."
Harding attended the National Student Leadership Conference for 11 days, joining 8,000 high-school students from across the U.S., as well as 45 other countries.
Attending conferences and workshops, and visiting sites throughout the nation's capital, Harding discovered how complex U.S. government is. "I learned that government is a lot bigger than you think, and when one person messes up, you can't blame them," said Harding. "There are a lot of people involved that they deal with, and being in government is not as easy as it looks."
Participating in the U.S. Policy and Politics program, one of several offerings at the National Student Leadership Conference, Harding experienced a full campaign simulation. He was assigned to a political party and was one of four participants who ran for U.S. president.
"I began my day by trying to sell myself to everyone, including the special-interest groups," said Harding. "I'd have a class in the morning or a campaign simulation, a trip each day and then another class simulation when we returned. At night, I'd go to a class or a lecture. Your schedule is packed, and by the end of the day, it felt like a week."
Still, even though it was so much work, Harding said he had the time of his life. And he believes that what he learned will benefit him in many ways.
"I learned four types of public speaking, and then I had to demonstrate them on random topics in a Senate simulation, where I had to write and pass bills," said Harding. "This will definitely help me in my Advanced Placement government class this year in school and improved my leadership skills in general. You really learn how to be responsible for yourself and other people if it's necessary."
Harding's using his improved leadership skills now at The River Project, a marine-science research station at Pier 26 in Manhattan, where he supervises interns. Harding said his experience in the U.S. Policy and Politics program sharpened his leadership skills, enabling him to supervise the interns more effectively.
This summer concludes two years that Harding has studied eels in the city's Hudson River for The River Project. Harding, a participant in Calhoun's Advanced Science Research Program, plans to submit his findings in the upcoming Intel Science Talent Search.
Harding will also use his improved leadership skills as president of the National Ethical Youth Society. An Ethical Humanist, Harding completed his affirmation for the organization last year when he gathered items that people didn't need or want and sold them on eBay. With the profits he made, Harding put three children through elementary school in Africa.
As the president of the National Ethical Youth Society, Harding will plan and run a four-day conference in Washington, D.C., which 100 to 200 people will attend. He's certain the project will be a success.
"The [National Student Leadership] program made me more independent," said Harding. "I learned at the conference that success is how you define it, not by how those around you define it. In high school, there are so many clicks, and they define success. In real life, it isn't like that."
Comments about this story? Llane@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 203.
