RI teens learn leadership skills in DC

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Five Rhode Island teenagers are learning to become future leaders after being accepted into a prestigious program that took them from local Boys and Girls Clubs to our nation's capital.

Providence Career and Technical Academy graduate Noel Puello still can not believe he was one of the lucky few chosen to represent Rhode Island at the Bank of America Student Leaders Program.

 "Being one of the five who got accepted from your market is something that ... it's really unexplainable," Puello told Eyewitness News.

Of the six thousand students nationally that applied, Noel was one of just 225 accepted into the yearly paid internship which gives teens an opportunity to bolster their leadership skills at local non-profits like the Boys and Girls Club on Wickenden Street in Providence.

 "It's really cool to see that I'm going to be a part of someone's life and change it for the better," said Abel Fuerte, who was also accepted into the program.

Another Student Leader Intern, Rachel Koller, says she is learning the benefits of giving back to the community.

"Maybe I do want to go into a non-profit and this has helped me," Koller said.

The five Rhode Island teens accepted into the program also got to take a trip to Washington, D.C. to take part in a national student leadership summit.

"A lot of great speakers who were able to significantly change us and make us realize what leadership is all about," recalls Student Leader Intern Oyindamola Akingbile.

 "I hope that by completing this internship I'll be able to go out there and help my community," said Jacque Nshimirimana, who is also taking part in the program.

The eight-week internship wraps up in August.