Nickie Ortiz, daughter of Martin and Betty Ortiz and a student at San Saba Middle School in the San Saba Independent School District, has been selected to travel to the Austin area as a participant in Education in Action's Lone Star Leadership Academy, July 14-18, 2008. Nickie's selection for the Academy was based on her outstanding academic success, demonstrated leadership ability, a recommendation by her teacher, Judy McCoy, and her involvement in school and community activities. Education in Action, dedicated to fostering educated and involved Texans, hosts the Lone Star Leadership Academy to "Instill the Spirit of Texas in Tomorrow's Leaders."

Nickie's Texas State Senator, the Honorable Troy Fraser, District 24, and Texas State Representative, the Honorable Harvey Hilderbran, District 53, will be notified of her accomplishment.

Joining a delegation of outstanding students from across the state of Texas, Nickie will develop leadership skills while learning about the great state of Texas and its leaders. She will learn about future career and internship opportunities and visit historically, politically and geographically significant sites including the Austin offices of her State Representative and Senator, the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, LBJ Library, State Cemetery, Governor's Mansion, State Capitol, Supreme Court and McKinney Roughs Environmental Learning Center. Additional activities will include an evening around the campfire with a cowboy storyteller, IMAX Theater, bat watching on the Lone Star Riverboat, Inner Space Cavern and a farewell program.

The Lone Star Leadership Academy provides unique opportunities for outstanding 5th-8th graders to learn about the Spirit of Texas and what it truly means to be from the Lone Star State. Participants discuss what they learn, complete problem solving and decision-making simulations, exercise creativity and practice presentation skills in Leadership Groups. In addition, participants have fun meeting other outstanding students from across the state of Texas and making new friends while adding to their resume of academic achievements, developing leadership skills and bringing home a wealth of information to supplement what they are learning in school.

Lone Star Leadership Academy calls for participants to become active citizens and leaders in their communities. Participants on the Lone Star Leadership Academy - Austin program must be in the 6th or 7th grade, maintain an 85 or higher average, demonstrate academic and leadership ability, receive an educator recommendation and be involved in community or school activities. Education in Action also offers a Lone Star Leadership Academy - Dallas/Fort Worth program for outstanding 5th and 6th graders and Houston/Galveston program for outstanding 7th and 8th graders. Students involved in student government and service organizations are especially good candidates for Lone Star Leadership Academy programs. Facilitator/student ratio is 1 to 10 and all facilitators are Texas educators. For more information about Education in Action or the Lone Star Leadership Academy - Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin or Houston/Galveston programs, call 817-285-8961 or visit www.educationinaction.org.