Caleb Rice, 14, is in the process of raising money to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum on National Security in Washington, D.C., this October. To aid his cause, he is putting on a public spaghetti supper on Saturday. Founded in 1992, the National Youth Leadership Forum helps prepare young people for their academic future and professional careers. Its mission is to bring various professions to life. Programs are held in 18 cities throughout the United States. Forums are offered in a variety of topics and career fields, including law, medicine, collegiate success and national security. High school students are nominated to attend by educators, organization advisers, alumni, participating institutions or through classroom surveys.

Rice, who will enter his sophomore year at Freeport High School this fall, recently spoke with the Tri-Town Weekly about why he wants to attend the forum, his definition of leadership, and how dumb bus drivers helped him understand and manage his Type 1 diabetes.

Q: So talk about the trip. What happens and how did you get chosen to attend?

A: We basically go around and meet important people like the director of the CIA. I was nominated by one of my teachers, I’m not sure which one, back in January. Every high school student is eligible except for freshmen.

Q: Are you interested in having a career in Washington? What are you hoping to learn from the trip?

A: Yeah, the stuff they do down there seems pretty interesting. I’m hoping to learn what goes on in Washington and what makes the country run.

Q: What is your favorite subject in school?

A: I would say math because it comes so easy to me.

Q: How many people attend the National Youth Leadership Forum?

A: Five-hundred people from all over the country will attend over three periods of time. There are different aspects including national security, law, medicine and a couple others.

Q: How much does it cost and how much have you raised so far?

A: The cost is $2,000 and I’ve raised roughly $500 so far.

Q: How would you define leadership?

A: I define leadership by being able to come up solutions if there is a problem and also to be able to tell everyone what the solution is. It’s about taking control and being a person that other people can look up to.

Q: Is that something you try and do in your own life?

A: In some aspects, yes. For me it’s through the sports I play, like soccer, basketball and baseball.

Q: You are a Type 1 diabetic. How is that different from a Type 2 diabetic and how long have you had diabetes?

A: I attend a camp for kids with diabetes and I didn’t know the difference between the two types of diabetes until I began going. They use an analogy of a stupid bus driver to explain the differences. With Type 1 diabetes, the stupid bus driver rolls around the body not knowing what to do because the bus has no insulin, but once it has insulin it knows what to do with it and where to drive. With Type 2 diabetes, there is still a stupid bus driver but in this case he has insulin but needs medication to know where to drive it. I was diagnosed when I was 2 years old and try to exercise through sports and also watch what I eat. That part is hard, I’m a growing teenager. What can you do?

Freeport High sophomore Caleb Rice is trying to raise money to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum on National Security in Washington, D.C., in October.