Ladue Horton Watkins High School’s Sanjana Tatikonda was recently selected to attend the Summer Leadership Character and Development Academy this summer at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, July 16-22, 2018.

            The high school junior competed against nearly 500 applicants from across the country and was one of more than 90 high school students to be selected.    

            “From the SLCDA, I am hoping to strengthen the qualities of discipline, determination and responsibility,” said Tatikonda. “There are characteristics only displayed by an exceptional few.”

The SLCDA has three missions: develop citizens of purpose, share the Marine Corps experience with students and educators and return quality citizens to their communities.

            These missions are made at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, during a weeklong leadership program designed to chance and develop our nation’s top-performing high school students.

            Those top performing students are required to meet high standards and requirements, including a minimum of 3.0 GPA, having participated in athletic, leadership and service-oriented activities, perform well on the Marine Corps Initial Strength Test, and possess strong leadership traits and strong moral and ethical standards.

            Tatikonda maintains a 3.98 GPA, while taking advanced and honor courses in Literary Analysis, Biology, World History, Chemistry and English. She is captain of her swim team and also participates in track and field and cross country.

Tatikonda has a list of extracurricular activities to include Speech and Debate, DECA, Cooking for a Cause, Model UN and Red Cross, and she somehow still manages her time to do volunteer work. Those extra volunteer hours go to the Special Olympics, St. Lukes Hospital, Ronald McDonald Helpers, International Education and Delmar Gardens Nursing Home.

            Over the course of the week during SLCDA, the selectees will be challenged to step outside their comfort zones, to strengthen their confidence and leadership skills. They will learn from notable leaders from around the country and tested physically in scenario-based reaction courses.

            “I want to experience the challenging environment and hands-on activities,” said Tatikonda. “I want to learn how to surpass physical and mental goals through extreme hard work, punctuality and commitment, and transform myself into an individual with high integrity where I am true to myself despite who is watching. Like my favorite Marine Quote, ‘Battles are won within’ I want to develop a character that upholds integrity even in difficult situations.”