HUNTINGTON -- Rebecca Rutherford of Huntington was one of a handful of high school students who represented the United States at the Global Young Leaders Conference in China recently.

Students, ages 15 to 18, served as global ambassadors at the conference while learning about a variety of concepts including diplomacy, law, human rights, peace and different cultures. Rutherford, a sophomore at Spring Valley High School, participated in the conference following her dedicated involvement with the National Young Leaders Conference in the U.S.

The NYLC aims to give high-achieving sophomores, juniors and seniors a greater understanding of their roles in democracy and the responsibilities of leadership. Rutherford was one of about 220 high school students from 30 countries to participate in the conference in China.

The lectures and classes offered at the conference focused on becoming an effective leader in their community, Rutherford said. The conference serves as a way for teens to meet new people and learn more about different cultures.

"When I was in China, I met a bunch of new people and we got to learn about their cultures and keeping an open mind," Rutherford said.

In between her conference obligations, Rutherford visited a number of sites around China including the Great Wall, Beijing National Stadium (known as the Bird's Nest), the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Rutherford came back at the end of July and said she's already applying what she's learned at the conference.

"I've learned how to manage my time," Rutherford said. "Being with so many people you don't know, you learn to be social and deal with problems when they come up."

Rutherford said she first became involved with the Junior National Young Leaders Conference when she was in the sixth grade. She then continued to become part of the National Young Leaders Conference when she entered high school. She has visited a number of cities, including Washington, D.C. and Boston, Mass., throughout the U.S. as part of the national conference.

Rutherford said she was even able to attend President Barack Obama's inauguration as part of the National Young Leaders Conference.

AP Video

Courtesy of Rebecca Rutherford

Rebecca Rutherford of Huntington stands at one of the sites she visited while at the Global Youth Leadership Conference in China in July.

Purchase this photo