Two high-flying pupils have been offered a once in a lifetime chance to join some of the world's most promising leaders at a global conference in the USA.

Katie Satich and Ksenia Yumasheva, of Beauchamps High School in Wickford, have been selected to attend July's Global Young Leaders Conference (GYLC) in Washington and New York.

Here - Ksenia and Katie plan their trip Picture: RON POULTER

The pair are among 350 secondary school students from around the world who have demonstrated outstanding leadership potential and scholastic merit.

The transatlantic trip includes a special greeting at the United Nations, meetings at national embassies, a night tour of Washington, visits to Time Square and tours of Manhattan University.

The GYLC culminates with a global summit when students apply what they've learnt during the conference in debates and negotiations on issues such as foreign aid, global warming, terrorism and human rights.

Sixteen-year-old Katie Satich, of Cleres Crescent, Wickford, said: "I am really looking forward to the conference.

"I've never been to New York or Washington before and the chance do so at the same time as meeting up with people my age from 80 different countries around the world sounds fascinating."

The girls have had to raise nearly £2,000 to attend the event and have received support from many local charities.

Deputy headteacher Sharon Martinson explained their choice of pupils by saying: "They are the two brightest students at the school. I simply couldn't think of anyone who is more deserving of this honour."

Published Wednesday, June 4, 2003

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