Recent Clark Middle School Grad Selected For Young Leaders Event

CLARK, NJ — A recent graduate of Carl H. Kumpf Middle School will be among a collection of exceptional young students from across the United States who will participate in a unique academic career-oriented development program that aims to build leadership skills in young people.

Clark resident Raymond Guenther has been accepted to participate in the Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C.. The event is hosted by Envisions by WorldStrides, which empowers students to become their best selves and to discover their passion and develop career goals to positively impact their world.

Raymond will begin high school this fall at Arthur L. Johnson High School in Clark. He was nominated for the leadership conference by one of his teachers, who cited Raymond’s exceptional communication skills and willingness to work within a team, according to a news release.

In addition to being recognized as a gifted student, Raymond is also a talented athlete who participates in competitive gymnastics At Surgent’s Elite in Roselle Park. He has also played in the Clark Youth Football League since 2019. Raymond hopes to one day turn his passion for technology into a successful career in the field.

“As an alumna of Envision myself, I am excited for Raymond to meet, work, and collaborate with other high aspiring students from across the country,” Amanda Freitag Thomas, senior vice president for Envision said in a news release. “Hands down, my favorite part of attending an Envision program was being with motivated students in an environment designed to help us challenge our assumptions, meet new people, and grow. Creating that same learning environment is a central focus for all of our programs.

“At the Junior National Young Leaders Conference, students build the confidence and skills needed to excel in high school, college, and the workplace. They learn how to adapt to and communicate in new situations, to new challenges, and with new people, which, given how rapidly the world is changing due to technology and innovation, are essential skills for success.”