Los Alamos High School Hilltalkers Eva Gerber, Ian Corey, Brody Brothers and Bella Blair have qualified for two national competitions this summer. Courtesy/LAPS

LAPS News:

After impressive performances in a local Youth and Government (YAG) conference in April, four Los Alamos High School Hilltalkers have qualified for two national competitions over the summer.

Organized by the YMCA, Youth and Government cultivates and empowers the next generation of engaged and informed citizens by introducing them to the legislative process.

Bella Blair, Brody Brothers, Ian Corey and Eva Gerber will attend the Conference of National Affairs (CONA) in North Carolina June 29-July 4. They will write a proposal related to a national or international concern and gather with more than 300 students from across the United States to discuss and debate their proposals.

“I am so proud of and excited for these students to learn more about domestic issues and propose solutions for some of the many challenges facing our country,” Hilltalkers Coach Tacarra Lake said.

Blair attended CONA for the first-time last summer. On her experience, she said, “CONA was truly a life changing experience because it brings teenagers from all over the country from diverse backgrounds together to discuss our nation’s most pressing issues. You leave the Blue Ridge Mountains with a new family and are excited to make a difference in our world.”

Corey and Gerber will also attend the National Judicial Conference (NJC) in St. Paul Minnesota from July 29-Aug. 1. They are participating in a Model Appellate Court.

“We are looking forward to challenging ourselves and testing our skills in research and public speaking as attorneys during nationals,” Gerber said.

LAPS wishes them the best of luck this summer.