BENTON ATTENDS NATIONAL YOUNG LEADERS CONFERENCE

Seth Benton of Cape Girardeau is attending the National Young Leaders Conference this week in Washington, D.C. The national leadership development program targets high school students who have demonstrated leadership potential and scholastic merit.

Benton, a senior at Cape Central High School, will be among 350 students attending the conference from across America.

The conference began Tuesday and runs through Sunday. Throughout the six-day workshop, Benton will meet key leaders and newsmakers from the three branches of government, the media and the diplomatic corps.

Highlights of the program include welcoming remarks from a member of Congress on the floor of the House of Representatives and a panel discussion with members of the National Press Club. Students will visit foreign embassies and receive policy briefings from senior government officials. He may also meet with Missouri senators or congressmen to discuss issues facing Cape Girardeau and the nation.

He is the son of Tim and Joy Benton of 1814 Nieman in Cape Girardeau.