It is not often that students have the opportunity to branch out and interact with the lands around them. Junior Lydia Heisel was given the chance to learn about the National Park System and see history first hand.

“I think this is a great opportunity for teenagers to be able to interact with the National Park system because I believe it is very important for people to experience the beauty and hands-on learning within them,” Heisel said.

The Youth Presidential Leadership Council (YPLC) is a program run by park rangers at the Lyndon B. Johnson National Park designed to help instill the love of nature within the youth of today.

“We have been to one meeting in which we got to know each other, toured LBJ’s childhood home and the LBJ ranch,” Heisel said. “This weekend we are going to decorate the Texas White House (the LBJ ranch house) for the holidays, as LBJ made a point to be at the Texas White House during Christmas time.”

Each student who wishes to apply submits an application, to the National Park Service website, where the questions and their respective answers showcase the different attributes of each person. The attributes that are accepted and strived for are responsibility, volunteerism, and leadership.

“Lydia has enthusiasm and a drive for public service and learning,” AGS History teacher Cherry Whipple said.

According to the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park Service, [t]he purpose of Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park Youth Presidential Leadership Council (YPLC) is to develop student leaders, raise consciousness in communities, and encourage creativity in education. Through the YPLC program, youth will be empowered to become agents of change and public servants within the National Park Service, and in their local communities

“This service project will contribute to the enjoyment of visitors of the park and keep the tradition of decorations alive there,” Heisel said. “We will meet once a month to do other service projects and leadership workshops.”

Students from all across Texas also participate in YPLC; it is selective and only allows 8-12 students in every year.

“I am excited to learn about what goes on in the National Park System behind the scenes and seeing firsthand some of the things that make up the history we normally learn about in textbooks,” Heisel said.