She has designs on big things
By Dennis Shaughnessey, dshaughnessey@lowellsun.com
07/16/2010
LOWELL -- The future is in good hands.
Olivia Gleason, an 11-year-old Lowell resident who will enter the sixth grade at the Franco-American School in September,
recently attended the Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C., and came away with a renewed energy to
excel.
The program is open to exceptional students from around the country, and
Gleason said it was a "powerful experience." Gleason sent letters to the Greater Lowell business community to raise
money for the trip.
"The response was incredible," she said. "People
were very generous. I can't thank them enough."
Gleason is the oldest daughter of Lisa Duquette
and William Gleason. She lives with her mom, her stepfather, Chris Duquette, and her 5-year-old brother, Christopher.
Q. What motivates you to do well in school?
A. In the next few
years I'll be able to be in my school's BETA Club and I'll be able to do more extracurricular activities if I
get good grades. I know that my future is based on what I do right now.
Q. What
was the best part of your trip to Washington, D.C.?
A. I made a lot of friends from all around
the United States and I plan to keep in touch with them through e-mail. I'll never forget them.
Q. What do you see yourself doing when you're an adult?
A. I'd like
to be an interior designer. I watch HGTV (Home and Garden Television) all the time. I'd also like to be a professional
musician. I play piano but I don't practice
as much as I should.
Q. What did you take away from your trip to Washington, D.C. and the Junior National Young Leaders Conference?
A. I learned about the Six Strengths of Leadership. I consider myself a leader because I try to help and
problem-solve and make things easier and better. I try to help the kids in my class who are having a hard time with a certain
subject.
Q. What is your favorite subject in school?
A. English and reading.
Q. What is the last book you read?
A. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis.
Q. What is the worst thing about yourself
that you're willing to make public?
A. I'm too easily fooled. I just got hacked
the other day on the computer. I clicked a link that I shouldn't have and it went to my account settings and changed my
e-mail and stole my account. We got it back. Lesson learned.
Q. What historical
figure would you like to have met?
A. Crispus Attucks, the first man that was
killed during the Boston Massacre. I did a whole report on him but I can't find it right now. I just think it was really
cool and brave that he stood up to the British.
Q. What's on your iPod?
A. A lot of games. A lot of music. Lady Ga Ga, Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, Jason Mraz.
Q. Do you have a study tip?
A. Pay attention in class and take notes that
you think are important so you don't have to study as much all at once.
