Zuni teen travels to D.C.
Hustito ready to make her mark on the world

Zuni resident Carleen Hustito, an 18-year-old high school senior, recently attended the National Leaders Conference in Washinton D.C. (Photo by John A. Bowersmith/Independent)

By Pamela G. Dempsey
Staff Writer

ZUNI — Carleen Hustito, like any other 18-year-old high school senior, plays basketball with her cousins, writes poems and hangs out with her friends.

She sews curtains, was once named Native America Day Princess, and last year, helped register voters in her community.

But add nearly 20 extracurricular activities to her list of things to do and Hustito stands out a little.

This future lawyer, nurse or director of the Central Intelligence Agency she's not sure which yet, maybe all three just returned from the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington D.C.

"It was a good experience because as young people we actually went into the steps on how to become a leader and face issues, not only in the U.S., but in the world," Hustito said.

The National Young Leaders Conference is a leadership development program for high school students and hosts more than 400 students each year.

Students take part in several activities throughout the week that include role-playing as U.S. president, cabinet members, and U.S. representatives. Students also debated, amended, and voted on mock legislation in a Congress-type setting.

"The National Young Leaders conference prepares students like Carleen Hustito to serve our country well, whether that means as elected officials in our nation's capital, as active members within our communities around the world or as intelligent, creative and responsible members of the work force," said Mike Lasday, executive director of the Congressional Youth Leadership council, the organization that sponsors the conference, in a press release.

"Through a series of simulations, we place these young leaders in the proverbial driver's seat on a variety of issues facing our country today. Their determination, as shown within the conference, is a good indicator of the types of leaders we will see in the future," he said.

Issues facing teenagers today, Hustito said, include alcoholism and tobacco use.

"We need to look further and be more outgoing," she said. "We don't challenge ourselves to (grab advantages)."

Zuni gave its support to Hustito with several business owners, local merchants, friends, and family pitching in to help her raise money for the trip.

Her family held numerous fund-raisers, including cake walks, dances, and bingos, and with a generous contribution from Gov. Arlen Quetawki and the Pueblo of Zuni Council, Hustito had the $1,300 tuition required to go.

"This conference I attended was a once-in-a lifetime experience," Hustito said. "It was a learning experience. You communicate with other people you don't know and characterize what you want to become in the future."

The youngest of two children, Hustito is now preparing to leave Zuni High School for college.

"We're really proud of our daughter," said Hustito's mom, Karen. "She likes to go out and challenge. We as parents need to support our children and what they do."

Hustito believes that teens need to support and educate each other.

"It has to be a whole team to make a difference," she said.

— To contact reporter Pam Dempsey call (505) 879-1707 or email pamelagdempsey@msn.com