Two Williston Northampton School students are headed to the nation’s capital this week to learn about a prominent topic in the news today: national security.

Jack Phelan ‘18 and Tim Fay ‘18 are headed to Washington D.C. to participate in the “National Youth Leadership Forum: National Security—Diplomacy, Intelligence, and Defense.” The program is run by the for-profit company Envision Experience, based in the capital.

Over the course of the six-day program, Mr. Fay and Mr. Phelan will meet with policy makers, military leaders, and other experts for a “behind-the-scenes view of national security in action,” according to an Envision press release.

The boys, and some 300 other students from across U.S., will be visiting historic and notable sites such as the Lincoln Memorial, and the World War II, Korean and Vietnam War memorials. They will also stop at the Smithsonian and the National Mall. Their group will take part in the wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

Mr. Fay, who was on his way to Washington D.C. on Tuesday, wrote via email that he’s most looking forward to a talk by former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel. He noted that he hopes the program helps him meet new people and “gain a full understanding of what makes a good leader and apply that to myself.”

“I am most looking forward to going to memorials and the Arlington National Cemetery and honoring the noble people that came before me,” added Mr. Phelan. “I hope to meet new people and enhance my leadership skills on the national stage.”

“’Up from the meadows rich with corn, clear in the cool September morn, the clustered spires of Frederick stand, green walled by the hills of Maryland.’ My grandfather muttered this as the race horn sounded.”

So begins ninth grader Sophia Schaefer’s tale of wind and weather, of relationships that run as deep as an ocean current, and of charting your own course—even if no one (or everyone) is following you.

Originally created as an assignment for her Williston Northampton humanities class last spring, Ms. Schaefer’s short story, “Great Day for a Race,” was recently recognized by the Boston Globe Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, where it received an honorable mention. The Boston contest is the regional division of a national program that recognizes creative middle and high school students.

Ms. Schaefer’s fictional story, which was based on an interview with her grandmother, was among 20,000 submissions, including 1,750 written pieces, from more than 8,000 students, according to the Boston Globe.

English teacher Doug Niedzwecki said Ms. Schaefer’s story had stood out for its balance of detail and authentic voice.

“I do recall clearly how well Sophia integrated the emotional feeling of how memorable and meaningful the past can be as seen through another’s eyes,” he wrote in an email. “’Great Day For a Race’ is an exceptional short story, and I am especially happy that Sophia enjoyed the writing process so much.”

Read “Great Day for a Race” here.