James Williams Middle School student Kaden Vanney leaves Rhinelander Sunday to participate in the Junior National Young Leaders Conference (JrNYLC) in Washington, DC. There, he will take part in an academic and career-oriented development experience with other middle school students from across the U.S.

Kaden was nominated by his teacher, Julie Krouze, who recognized him as a student who has achieved academic excellence and possesses strong leadership potential. He participates in football, basketball and baseball, loves to write, draw and play video games. Kaden will be in seventh grade in the fall, and is the son of Pete and Amy Vanney of Rhinelander.

JrNYLC is part of a larger program through Envision, a program that enables students to explore their interests and experience learning beyond the classroom. Since 1985, Envision has served more than 800,000 students in more than 145 countries to help students develop leadership, scholarship and career skills needed to succeed.