Lincoln Public Schools student Avery turned her trip to the California coast into an unforgettable leadership experience this summer.
The East High School senior-to-be sharpened many important personal skills at the 2026 Great American Leadership Program (GALP). She was one of just three Nebraska students who participated in GALP activities. She joined other future leaders from all corners of the country for four days of civic learning opportunities.
Avery said she was encouraged by the conversations she had with people in both Malibu and Simi Valley, Calif. She felt the networking and educational activities would help her reach her school and community leadership goals.
“I loved meeting people from across the country,” Avery said. “I rapidly made close friends who I know I’ll be in touch with in the years to come. Learning from and living alongside people who are intelligent and driven to use their intellect for good while also being versatile, funny and interesting was so inspiring.”
East staff members Al Carothers and Madelyn Kivett felt Avery was the perfect person to represent the school at GALP events. Carothers, who is the team leader in East’s school counseling center, recommended her for the program based on her exceptional civic and scholastic credentials. Kivett, who advises East’s Student Council, will work with Avery when she serves as Student Council president in 2026-27.
“What makes Avery truly special is how she leads, always treating everyone with genuine respect and dignity,” Carothers said. “She has the gift for connecting with people, creating positive relationships across the entire East High community.”
“I have enjoyed watching Avery bring creativity, enthusiasm and dedication to every project she is involved in,” Kivett said. “She is a natural leader who makes a point to include everyone and value each member’s ideas. Avery is someone her peers can feel comfortable coming to for support.”
Nebraska Department of Education employee Bre Wilton said she was impressed by Avery’s maturity and poise after interviewing her for a different program last year. Wilton, a social studies education specialist, was elated when Carothers mentioned Avery as a strong potential GALP candidate.
“For this program, we were seeking one student per congressional district,” Wilton said. “I know that Lincoln East is a very strong civics school, so I reached out to their guidance department to see if they had any ideas for student candidates. Her school counselor recommended her, and I was excited, because having already met her, I knew she would be a great fit for this opportunity.”
Avery learned she had been selected for GALP after receiving a surprise e-mail on her birthday. The NDE paid for the full cost of the program for all three Nebraska students.
Avery, who represented Nebraska Congressional District 1, participated in a mix of leadership training, historical seminars and real-world application activities. GALP students listened to a Medal of Honor recipient speak, took a CliftonStrengths assessment from Gallup and participated in roundtable discussions about leadership issues. During one crisis simulation, Avery acted as a national security officer in a replica of the Oval Office, and she spent time on an Air Force One plane stationed in a presidential museum hangar.
Avery said the message of serving with moral courage and integrity resonated with her during the trip. She also learned how skilled leaders can identify people with various gifts and talents. This allows them to create groups of workers who can best help their constituents.
“GALP also taught me that being in touch with your personal strengths and those of others is vital to forming positive teams,” Avery said. “The leaders who understand those they represent on a deep level are the most impactful, as they act and lead with an authentically informed perception of their peers. I also had my eyes opened to the fact that Americans are more aligned than we realize. At our core, we all wish to be represented at local and national levels by people who we believe understand and respect our humanity.”
Wilton said those lessons are why the NDE wanted to send Avery to the national summit.
“Experiences like these build confidence, strengthen communication and critical thinking skills, and inspire students to become thoughtful, informed citizens who are prepared to lead in their schools, communities and beyond,” Wilton said. “Avery has already demonstrated the curiosity, character and commitment that make for a strong leader, and this opportunity will help further develop those qualities while connecting her with other outstanding students from across the nation.”
The GALP trip was the latest leadership avenue Avery has traveled on during her East career. She was one of six Spartans who attended American Legion Auxiliary Cornhusker Girls State activities in June, and she was selected to represent Nebraska as a senator at the 2026 Girls Nation program. She is a National Honor Society officer, a Student Council member for three years and has competed for East in the state swimming meet.
Carothers said Avery will use her expanded set of leadership tools to help many people in her future endeavors.
“Avery is a phenomenal role model who leads by example,” Carothers said. “She shows genuine care for her peers by actively listening to, encouraging and supporting every student she crosses paths with. Highly responsible and always prepared, Avery treats the entire East High community with respect and inspires others to do the same.”
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