Silas Sylvester Olveda attended the National Young Scholars Program (NYSP) at Occidental College in Los Angeles, Calif. July 30 – Aug. 3. Silas was nominated to attend the NYSP program by his principle Sandy Villarreal at Runge ISD. At the program, Silas attended the Day Program and studied the Discovery Strand CSI: The Case of the Missing Masterpiece. He and other scholars were young detectives attempting to crack a case involving a theft by analyzing DNA samples, testing glass density and examining microscopic pieces of crucial evidence.

Due to Silas’ special status as an alumnus of the NYSP, he has been selected to go to Washington, D.C. to take part in the Elementary School Presidential Inaugural Conference Jan. 19 – 23. The conference will include speakers, Barbara Pierce Bush and Jenna Bush Hager, watching a special screening of the reality documentary film: The Third Monday in October, the president and vice president inauguration, a visit to the historic Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, a Viewing Party and Luncheon and a Gala Inaugural Celebration at the Gaylord National Resort at National Harbor.

The 2013 Elementary School Presidential Inaugural Conference is designed, developed and hosted by the experienced professional educators and faculty advisors in the Nation Young Scholars Program.

Silas Sylvester Olveda is 11 years old and a 5th grader at Runge Elementary. He is the son of Sylvester and Lanae Olveda both of Runge. Silas is the grandson of Sylvester Salas and Lydia F. Guerra, and Sylvester Olveda and the late Yolanda Olveda.