Payson Roundup

Payson junior, honor student and Longhorn champion Josh Porter is raising money to attend a youth leadership forum on National Security in Washington, D.C. in February.

Porter, who would like to become an engineer in the Air Force, says that he sees the experience as a chance to evaluate his prospective career. He lives with his grandfather, who also served in the Air Force.

The forum offers the perspectives of internationally recognized civilian policymakers and senior military officers on current issues, along with discussion of strategies that helped them to succeed, according to the National Youth Leadership Forum’s Web site.

During a mock exercise, students will also execute the crisis decision-making skills they learned during the forum.

Past speakers include a former secretary of defense, an under secretary of state for political affairs, and director of central intelligence.

The event takes place Feb. 10-15 in Washington, D.C., and will cost roughly $2,254 for the forum, airfare and food.

“The only way I can attend this once-in-a-lifetime event is by raising most of the money in scholarships and donations,” Porter wrote in a letter. Although Porter works — in addition to his studies and football practice — he needs to meet a deadline of Dec. 17 for the $1,539 forum, and does not have all the money.

Porter can be reached at (928) 468-8728 or at Lmmd@npgcable.com.