WAITSBURG – Waitsburg High School junior Kyle Martin spent a week last month in Washington D.C. as a participant in the 2016 National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF) for Security, Diplomacy, Intelligence and Defense. He says experience gave him a bigger picture of government and helped solidify his plans for the future.

NYLF is a career development opportunity that introduces students to firsthand experiences and career opportunities in national security and related fields. Over six days, students participate in specialized simulations dealing with current world issues, hear from top leaders and...