Four more days to go....

Amber Carbajal:

July 19, 2018- Four more days until the YLA. My name is Amber Carbajal and I am from Everett Washington. I attend Mariner High School and will be a junior in the upcoming fall. I am Latina and it is pleasing to me that now in society, those who come from undermined backgrounds are now being strongly encouraged to apply for incredible opportunities, such as the YLA. This opportunity was introduced to me through my former Geometry teacher, Rhonda Marquardt. When Applying for this opportunity I became hesitant. I do not have much leadership experience and I did not consider myself a great leader. However, after conversing with Mrs.Marquardt, I came to the realization that in order to become the leader I desire to be, I had to apply. After all the fundraising, and donations from incredibly generous individuals, the event is only four days away. I want to attend the YLA to better myself as a leader and gain confidence so I can better my community. I am fortunate enough to attend a very diverse school where I am able to see a glimpse of global issues. There’s only so much that I can learn from school and the YLA will take my knowledge one step further. I am looking forward to plan a project that I will have the opportunity to carry out in my home town. What I am expecting to get out of the YLA is a greater awareness of global issues, as well as how I can involve individuals in my community to help make a difference. I am also looking forward to making life-long friendships through the YLA. This five day trip will truly be a memorable experience that I know will have a positive impact on myself, as well as my community. A big thank you to all the individuals that were generous enough to donate and make attending the YLA possible. 

Angelina Allen:

I have always heard people say, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Everyday I would consider the imperfections of my community, and wish for it to change. When I was told about the Youth Leadership Academy, I was ecstatic. This is my opportunity to change our community. I had never felt such a desire to become a leader and this was my chance. I signed up for the YLA because I was done waiting for someone else to change our world. I wanted to take action and help our community thrive. This program requires a year long partnership to create a project within our own communities. I knew this would be my first step to changing our world. The part I am most excited for is meeting other young, dedicated individuals. While my high school is very diverse, I hope to meet new people and make lifelong friends. I expect to learn a lot of things from of this trip, such as being a strong leader. I tend to be a shy person, and although I have begun to grow out of that, I hope this trip allows me to become more confident. I have always admired leaders with confidence and strength. There are many things that go into being a successful leader, and I hope to gain more knowledge of this. I want to thank everyone who has donated for helping us with this amazing opportunity!

Jace Marquardt:

I want to attend the YLA because I think it will be a fun experience to be around like-minded teenagers who want to make an impact in the world. I am most excited about the workshop on environmental sustainability. This is one of my main passions and I’m interested to see what ideas they might have on the topic. What I expect to get out of this academy are the skills to startup a project of my own, specifically environmental sustainability or conservation.

Alberta Gbla:

With just a few days left until we leave for Washington D.C, I feel extremely thrilled for the adventures that are soon to come. I want to attend the YLA for a chance to gain a new perspective in my journey in becoming a global leader. By working with others who share a common interest, I will be able to learn how to contribute towards creating solutions towards current issues. I desire to extend my knowledge on the different sustainable development goals, which will allow me to alter my community in the most effective way possible. I am most excited about experiencing a new environment with new people, as I do not travel frequently. It would be an experience of a lifetime as I have the chance to build a foundation for the new hobbies of my future. I can not wait to participate in the different workshops that focus on individual matters, especially as these will be hands-on activities, which I learn best through. I am also excited about visiting the International Spy Museum, and excited about the plane ride too! After the program, I honestly expect to have a steady plan on how I can start my goal, since I chose to focus on building peace/ injustice within my community. I expect to gain a platform to be able to take my goal to the next level, and acquire a fundamental step in expanding my idea. I am ready to begin the YLA in a couple of days to see the exciting activities that lay ahead!