Because of his academic achievements, an Avondale youth has been nominated by the National Young Leaders Conference to be one of the representatives from Ohio in the conference scholars program this summer.

Derrick D. Blassingame, 16, a junior at Virtual High School, Queensgate, will join other high school students selected for a six-day leadership conference in Washington this summer.

"It is a great honor to me to be nominated," Blassingame said.

"I think it is a big step for me and our community, especially since there has been so much negative things about Cincinnati."

Blassingame was part of the group that organized a youth convention in 2001 which led to the formation of the Youth Alliance of Greater Cincinnati.

He served as its first president.

The Alliance brought together about 1,000 youths, parents, teachers, city officials and activists in a town hall meeting dealing with youth issues.

He was inducted into Who's Who Among American High School Students and the National Honor Roll for 2002.

He was keynote speaker for the California Black Chamber of Commerce in 2002.

Blassingame was also a keynote speaker for Tennessee's Conference on Youth last year.

He was part of the youth group that marched against youth violence in Anaheim, Calif., this year.

"I plan to major in law and political science," he said.

He needs to raise funds for the scholars conference. To help, call (513) 262-1713.

Brett West, spokesman for the conference, said participants will see government at work and be involved in leadership activities.

"We show them also that leadership doesn't necessarily mean being an elected official," West said.

The spirit of Easter comes to children in Winton Terrace on Good Friday through "Resurrection Baskets" from New Jerusalem Baptist Church, Carthage.

Bonnie Newland, director of women's ministry at the church, said the baskets contain a resurrection message, chocolate crosses, religious tracts, jelly beans and colored eggs.

"The church has distributed more than 1,000 Resurrection Baskets to this community in the last three years," she said.

Allen Howard's "Some Good News'' column runs Sunday-Friday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are uplifting to the Tristate, let him know at 768-8362, at ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.