Ryan Richter, an Oakville Senior High School student, is participating this week in the National Youth Leadership Forum on Defense, Intelligence and Diplomacy in Washington, D.C.

Having demonstrated academic achievement and an interest in a career related to national security, Richter is joining 400 outstanding high school juniors and seniors from across the United States at the forum, which continues through Sunday.

“By participating in the National Youth Leadership Forum on Defense, Intelli-gence and Diplomacy, students like Ryan Richter will develop a keenly educated perspective on the United States’ role in global conflict resolution,” National Youth Leadership Forum Executive Director Donna Snyder stated in a news release.

“While we introduce these young leaders to the masterminds behind our country’s international relations communities, students also take part in a series of simulations. The combination of interacting with professionals and other students in this setting ensures that the future of our country is very bright,” she added.

The NYLF/DID curriculum is based on actual world events, allowing participants to learn from the examples set by previous generations of leaders and encouraging them to develop a perspective and tenacity unique to upcoming generations of leaders.

Throughout the forum, students will examine how the United States plans for peace and prepares for crisis. Students will meet with leaders from key agencies and institutions.

In the past, NYLF/DID has visited several government institutions and military installations, including the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Development Command at Quantico, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the U.S. Naval Academy and a variety of embassies,

The NYLF is a nonprofit, educational organization committed to empowering young people to make well-informed career choices. For additional information, visit

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