Riley Durishin of Lehighton will represent the Lehighton Rotary Club by attending the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) Conference July 7-11 at Keystone College, LaPlume, Pa. She is the daughter of Matt and Mary Durishin of Lehighton.

She will be a junior at Lehighton Area High School in the fall.The RYLA Conference is a program for high school sophomores who have shown leadership potential in their home, school and community. The conference is designed to introduce participants to thoughts and ideas which will strengthen and develop their leadership skills."I was selected by the guidance counselor because of my leadership abilities," said Durishin.She has always had a strong sense of community.She began singing the national anthem at Special Olympics, local sporting events, community events and Memorial Day and Veterans Day events when she was 5 years old.She has participated in the American Cancer Society Telethon for the past 11 years. She is also a classroom aide for the Parish Religious Education program at her church.At her school, she is a member of student council and is class vice president. She is a member of Future Business Leaders of America and has attained high honors and honor roll status. She is a member of the track and field team and also the basketball team. She also is a member of the field hockey team.She is employed at a local supermarket."I think the conference will be a great opportunity for me to build on my leadership skills and gain friendships," she said.