Sedona Red Rock High School sophomore Khrystian Cordova will be attending the Sister Cities International Youth Leadership Summit in Washington D.C. from June 15 through 21, sponsored by the Sedona Sister Cities Association and the Rotary Club of Sedona Village.

“We were pleased to join the Rotary Club of Sedona Village in sponsoring him for this one-week summit,” Sedona Sister Cities Association President Chuck Marr said. “Only 50 kids from across the nation are selected for this annual event. It’s a very special opportunity for a unique young man. He has been outstanding in high school sports and expressed a desire to learn more about business and leadership, and that’s what stood out to me.”

The summit will include presentations by guest speakers on leadership development and diplomacy in preparation for a diplomacy simulation at the U.S. Department of State, during which students will role-play negotiation scenarios while staying at the dorms at American University.

Cordova was selected after he spoke to the Rotary Club of Sedona Village about his experience at the Rotary Youth Leadership Award conference, which is held annually at Camp Pine Rock in Prescott. The program is designed to develop leadership skills and self-confidence while encouraging community service. After completing RYLA, participants give presentations on their experiences to their sponsoring Rotary Clubs.

“The biggest things I learned from RYLA were compassion and empathy,” Cordova said. “You realize that a lot of people struggle when they’re outside of a space like that. At RYLA, everyone is included, and that connects to the Sister Cities program because we’re placed in groups that represent different countries. We learn how to be inclusive and interact with people from different backgrounds … and we also learn leadership.”

“With a stellar 4.0 GPA, [Cordova] demonstrates a commitment to academic rigor and intellectual curiosity,” Marr wrote in his recommendation letter. “Beyond the classroom, he is an accomplished athlete, excelling in both track and soccer. His dedication to personal growth and teamwork is evident in his athletic pursuits, as well as in his leadership roles within the school and community.”

Cordova also plays violin and piano in the school orchestra, which he described as his favorite class.

“With pole vaulting, you start with drills to help you get comfortable. At first, it’s honestly a scary experience because you’re holding a big, heavy pole, and as soon as you’re there, you can feel the weight,” Cordova said of his track experience. “You’re trying to plant it into a box and just hoping you don’t fall. I’ve fallen off the pit before, and I’ve had to bail multiple times. The pole vault is about getting over that fear.”

He was ranked 10th in the state in Division V as of May 2, with a personal best of 12 feet, and has also competed in the 200-, 400- and 800-meter dashes.

“[Cordova] doesn’t like to say no when he needs rest days or needs to communicate on things,” Head Coach Sean Eicher said. “He never wants to disappoint his coaches, his mom, his teachers. He’s always looking to get better in whatever he does. So his work ethic is always there, and he puts his heart in every single situation.”

Cordova said he was always interested in leadership and originally considered studying political science, which he hopes to explore as a potential career path through the Sister Cities program. although he is currently learning towards studying business.

“What impresses me most is Khrystian’s humble and thoughtful manner when wishing that students at his school would be more accepting and non-judgmental,” Marr wrote. “He believes what sets him apart from most kids is a demeanor of respect and the morals instilled in him by his mom, who is his role model. He is sincere when he states that he wants to be a leader who is emotionally available and who provides stability.”

“It’s an honor to be able to go and be selected … shows that if you put in work and you’re disciplined, that you can actually make things of it and you can get things out of [learning],” Cordova said.