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SELMA Kaitlin Brightwell may only be a freshman this year at Selma High, but she has lofty goals.

She wants to become a criminal defense lawyer and use the latest Crime Scene Investigation techniques to overturn unjust sentences and give citizens their freedom back.

I want to help innocent people," she said. "I want to do a good job by getting the guilty ones put in jail and innocent ones out of jail.

Brightwell recently received a letter in the mail that would give her a head start on that journey. It was a nomination packet to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum: Law and CSI in Washington, D.C. this July. The forumgives students hands-on learning in those areas with activities such as a mock trial, Supreme Court simulation and forensic science case to solve.

Kaitlin's mother, Crystal Brightwell-Ruff, said she thinks attending the seminars will give Kaitlin a taste of her future career and help mold her into a confident lawyer someday. Brightwell-Ruff should know, since she was able to attend the leadership forum when she was a senior at Selma High in 1994.

When the nomination letter for Kaitlin first arrived, Brightwell-Ruff said they waited to reveal the contents of the packet until they went to her parents home.

Her grandma and grandpa were both involved in getting me there and my mother still had my old file from when I went 25 years ago, Brightwell-Ruff said.

When she attended, the forum focused on politics and the legislative, judicial and executive branches she recalled.

It was an exciting time to be in the nations capitol, as Clinton had just been nominated. Not Hillary, her husband, she says to clarify to her daughter. When the nomination came in, I knew all about it. It was incredible when I went. I knew we had to figure out a way to send Kaitlin because it shepherded me into the area I work in now.

Brightwell-Ruff went on to work as a paralegal, and after talking about her work over the years, Kaitlin became interested in fighting for those whove been wrongly accused.

The innocent dont deserve to go to jail, and if lawyers dont do a good job in court, then innocent people are sent to jail, she said.

Aside from the forum itself, Brightwell said she's is excited just for the experience of traveling such a lengthy distance on her own.

Its my first plane ride, she said.

It was mine, too, but thats kind of the point, Brightwell-Ruff said. Its to get them out there and see how the real world works. You get to meet all new people that are interested in the same things you are, network, learn from those people and see what their goals are.

To be able for Brightwell to attend, the family is raising money to pay for the trip by sending letters seeking sponsors.

Its definitely an honor, but its something were paying for, Brightwell-Ruff said as they look to meet an April 15 deadline and raise $6,000 to cover travel expenses.

Brightwells teachers say they agree the young freshman will flourish after attending the forum, as shes already demonstrating leadership abilities.

She works hard no matter what. She gives the same effort all the time and shes a great person to have in the band, Band Teacher Janna Hall said.

Since Brightwell plays clarinet and only so many are allowed on the field during performances, she didnt always get to be part of the shows. However, shed come to class day after day putting in the same effort, her teacher said.

Instead of feeling like Im the alternate and I dont have to work as hard, she was right in there and showing up for practice all the time," Hall said. "I was really happy when she didnt have to be an alternate anymore. Thats just the kind of person and student she is. Shes very mature and very intelligent for her age. Shes already a good leader and shell thrive there.

Brightwells AVID teacher, Becky Zavala, calls her a bright young lady that always positive.

She always has a positive attitude and is always willing to help out her fellow students," she said. "Shes never let to class and never walks in without a smile on her face. I know that she will have a bright future ahead of her."

Although Brightwell is excited at the prospect of attending the forum, shes also thinking of her long-term career goals.

Id like to get into a University of California college," she said. "Theyre hard to get into, but I know they have good law programs.

Once shes graduated, Brightwell said shed like to return to the area and practice law locally.

After hearing about her mothers work and learning about the Innocents Project, Brightwell said her interest in law was cemented.

The Innocents Project is where lawyers spend a certain amount of hours each year investigating and trying to get innocent people out of jail, she said.

Brightwell said she's researched and advocated for lawyers to add two more hours to the project so not a lot of people would be in jail that are innocent and didnt do anything wrong.

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Selma student nominated for law and CSI forum - Hanford Sentinel