Local Lake Nona Middle School student Anisa Palma was recently selected to attend the Junior National Young Leaders Conference,  a premiere leadership development program for middle school students. There, she will proudly represent Orange County’s very own Lake Nona Middle School. We talked to her mom, Renee Palma, about Anisa’s accomplishments and future aspirations.

NHN: Could you tell me a little more about the Junior National Young Leaders Conference? What do the kids get to do that attend?

RP: The kids do not receive any gifts or monetary award for attending. They are nominated by someone in education administration based on accomplishments, grades and character. The conference is separated by grades, 5/6 and 7/8. There is a heavy focus on leadership and social advocacy. Their keynote speaker will be Anthony Robles, 2011 NCAA National Wrestling Champ, who was born with one leg. They will study public service via a Capitol Hill experience, and they will spend the night at a museum, Maryland Science Center. All in addition to the big Voices of Change Project that will put what they learn into practice.

NHN: How does Anisa feel about being able to attend?

RP: Anisa is one of the most humble kids I have ever met. She is excited and very thankful that someone noticed her accomplishments in and out of school. She cannot wait to go to D.C.

NHN: What does Anisa want to do when she grows up?

RP: For the last four years, Anisa has dreamed of owning her own vet practice. Before we moved to Florida four years ago, she would get off the school bus and clean the chicken coop in our neighbor’s yard. Simply put, she loves animals. We took her to the Bronx Zoo at two years old. When we stopped to get a stuffed animal, the guy was pushing her to pick a mammoth. We put her on the counter, and she zeroed in on a snow leopard. Eleven years later, we still have him along with two dogs and a desert tortoise.

NHN: How does Anisa balance all of the activities that she does?

RP: Anisa is very organized and practical while being the biggest heart I know. She stays up late doing Cornell Notes and prepping for quizzes. Or staying up to go the extra mile on this year’s science project. Simply put, she’s amazing.

NHN: What do you as parents hope for her to learn from this experience?

RP: With such a big heart, we want her to learn more ways to put her talents to use in addition to capitalizing on learning more leadership skills. An experience that is just for her will help her experience more structured independence that will help prepare her for secondary education. Not to mention we want her to have fun.

NHN: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

RP: Her dad and I are super proud of her, and thank God for her every day. She is an amazing role model for her siblings.