Elementary Student heading to National Leadership Forum

Members of the Temple Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors pose for a photo with Benjamin Hall, his parents, and Western Hills Elementary Principal Tiffany Vestal following a special presentation.

The Temple Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors had a special presentation at their June meeting by an exceptional young Temple leader, Benjamin Hall.

Benjamin, who is a third grader at Temple Independent School District’s Western Hills Elementary, was nominated to participate in the National Youth Leadership Forum: Pathways to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) Academy this summer.

The National Youth Leadership Forum: Pathways to STEM Academy is a unique learning experience for bright, forward-thinking elementary school students. During the six-day program, the participants learn by doing hands-on simulations and workshops. They will build and program a robot, investigate and solve crimes using math and science-based forensics, explore different careers in the medical field, and build leadership skills.

The expense of the program was an obstacle, but with an outpouring of community support, Benjamin will be able to attend the program this July. The Temple Chamber of Commerce contributed through their community development foundation, Temple Futures.

During Benjamin’s presentation, he thanked the Temple Chamber Board, shared more about himself, what he is looking forward to during the program, and his other summer plans.

Benjamin will be ten years old this fall, is on the “A” Honor Roll, and is a leader in both the Garden Club and Honor Choir at Western Hills Elementary. He is also involved with his youth program at church.

Benjamin is most excited about building and programming a robot and remote control car, doing experiments and learning new math strategies all while making new friends and representing his school at the National Youth Leadership Forum: Pathways to STEM Academy.